KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 24, 2009) : The collection at the Salak Jaya toll plaza has been abolished with immediate effect. 

Residents have been paying RM1.30 every time they drove towards Kuala Lumpur since May 1999. It is estimated about 50,000 motorists use the highway.

 Most of the highway users are from the surrounding areas such as Sungai Besi, Kampung Malaysia, Kuchai Lama, Taman Salak Selatan and Kampung Baru Salak Selatan. Mohd Zin also announced that the Cabinet has agreed to start constructing an extension of the Besraya Highway costing RM649 million. The extension will be from south-bound of Sekolah Tai Thong and Jalan Istana heading towards Pandan Indah and MRR2. 

"The MRR1 and MRR2 (Middle Ring Road) has reached its maximum capacity. This extension highway will reduce traffic in areas such as Jalan Istana, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Loke Yew, Jalan Cheras and Jalan Tun Razak," he said. 

The 12.3km-long highway will serve as an alternative route to ease traffic congestion heading east of Kuala Lumpur. It is also an alternative route to head towards Kuala Lumpur, by-passing Jalan Tun Razak.

 Mohd Zin said the Sungai Besi Highway (Besraya) was built to reduce congestion on Jalan Sungai Besi Lama and ease tKuala Lumpur city-bound traffic. However, the highway resulted in traffic congestions in the surrounding residential areas.

 He also said the location of the Salak Jaya toll plaza was not strategic as it only worsened traffic flow in areas such as Kuchai lama and Salak Selatan as motorists preferred to use the toll free routes in the two areas. 

When asked about compensation to concessionaire Besraya (M) Sdn Bhd, Mohd Zin said there was no compensation given as the government has agreed to the extension highway. The concession agreement for the Salak Jaya toll plaza only ends in 2032. 

He said Besraya will be the official concessionaire for the new highway but the construction tender will be tendered out by LLM (Malaysian highway authority).

 There will be one toll plaza on the new extension highway and Mohd Zin said the toll charges at the new extended highway will be lower.

 He said the construction of the highway was a boost for the construction sector, given the current economic situation.

 The cost of the extended highway will be borne by Besraya (M) Sdn Bhd and is expected to be completed in 2012.

 Meanwhile, Seputeh MP and Selangor state executive councillor Teresa Kok said the Salak Jaya toll plaza "is the most ridiculous toll plaza in KL because it is actually on a public road meant for all". 

"However, I am glad that the government has decided to abolish it. It is a victory to the people and PKR (Pakatan Rakyat) as we have been protesting for the abolishment of this toll for 10 years," she said. 

Kok said the abolishment of two toll plaza collections within a month showed that when there was a check and balance of power, "the people's wishes are fulfilled easier".