IPOH: The Work ministry is looking at ways and means to reduce the financial burden of the toll hike scheduled for Jan 1.

"We are working on several proposals to be submitted to the cabinet," Minister Datuk Seri Vallu said here yesterday.

He said the government was contractually bound to allow the hike under the agreements with eight highway concessionaires.

Asked whether he had met officials of the companies, Samy Vellu said: "The companies know the hike is automatic. Three months ago, we submitted a preliminary report on the effects of the hike, including the cost, public reaction and several other issues, to the cabinet and concessionaires."