WORKS Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the highway toll rates would not be increased until a study by seven concessionaires was completed and presented to the Cabinet.

"We will not increase the toll rates by Jan 1 next year until we get Cabinet approval," he said yesterday.

He said all information on the toll was being compiled, and when completed, would be handed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for their advice and views before being presented before the Cabinet.

This was because his ministry wanted to ensure that any decision on tolls would not affect the public while not hindering the performance of the concessionaires.

The agreement between the government and Plus Expressways Bhd, concessionaire for the North-South Highway, stated that the toll rates should be reviewed every three years.

The agreement also stated that the Plus toll increase should be 30 per cent compared with the 10 per cent approved by the government earlier.

The last toll increase for the North-South Highway was on Jan 1, 2005, up by 10 per cent.