PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian government has decided to maintain toll rates on 10 highway concessions in 2026, providing relief to motorists amid ongoing concerns over the rising cost of living.
Government spokesperson Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the decision was made during the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday after careful consideration of its impact on the public.
According to Fahmi, the federal government will absorb the financial implications arising from the decision to defer toll hikes, in line with the Madani Government’s commitment to prioritising public welfare.
“For 2026, the Cabinet has decided that toll rates for 10 highway concessions will remain unchanged, and the financial implications will be borne by the government,” he told reporters during a post-Cabinet press conference here today.
Fahmi, who is also the Communications Minister, said further details on the highways involved will be announced by the Ministry of Works in due course.
The move follows a similar decision taken earlier this year, when the government postponed toll rate increases on several highways. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim previously revealed that the government had spent more than RM500 million to compensate concessionaires for deferred toll hikes.
The decision is widely seen as a short-term relief measure for commuters, particularly those in urban and suburban areas who rely heavily on highways for daily travel.
Economic analysts, however, have noted that repeated toll freezes could pose fiscal challenges if not accompanied by long-term reforms to highway concession agreements.
Despite these concerns, Fahmi reiterated the government’s commitment to balancing fiscal responsibility with the need to protect the public from additional financial burdens.
The toll freeze is expected to support consumer sentiment and contribute to broader efforts to stabilise domestic economic conditions.