MLFF Toll in Malaysia

• MLFF won’t totally eliminate highway congestion but will ensure smoother traffic flow – transport consultant

  In Local News / By Anthony Lim / 24 February 2025 11:46 am / 8 comments

  

  While the multi-lane fast flow (MLFF) toll collection system will not completely eliminate traffic congestion on highways, it will significantly reduce vehicle congestion at toll booths and contribute to smoother traffic flow on the whole, says a transport consultant.

  According to My Mobility Vision founder Wan Agyl Wan Hassan, the MLFF should be viewed as a part of a larger canvas that is an integrated traffic management system. “While I agree that the MLFF alone isn’t a silver bullet for all congestion issues, it is important to recognise its significant contribution in easing congestion specifically at toll plazas,” he told FMT.

  “By removing physical toll booths, vehicles maintain a more consistent speed, which can drastically reduce localised bottlenecks and improve overall traffic flow. MLFF should be seen as a vital component within a holistic traffic management strategy rather than the sole solution to highway congestion,” he said, adding that many major cities have successfully adopted such an integrated approach.

  The opinion was in response to last week’s statement made by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which said that the implementation of MLFF would not fully resolve traffic congestion on highways. The PAC recommended that the government conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis before proceeding with the RM3.46 billion project.

  Wan Agyl agreed with the PAC’s call for a thorough study on the project, saying it was important to ensure transparency in procurement and address potential financial burdens in any major infrastructure project. However, he maintained that it was important for the MLFF project to continue.

  

  “This balanced approach – acknowledging both the strengths of MLFF and the need for comprehensive congestion management – aligns with the best global practices and ensures that we harness technology to improve our transport infrastructure effectively,” he said.

  MDS Consultancy MD Rosli Azad Khan was also in support of the project, saying it would reduce travel time, improve fuel efficiency for road users and lower operational costs for toll operators. He however added that the government needs to get the automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system up and running first and ensure it was working effectively before moving on to MLFF.

  He said this would allow the authorities to iron out any kinks in the system, but stressed that its operational aspects should remain under the purview of authorities. “The government must not privatise the ANPR function, as only a government department has the legal authority to implement this system,” he explained.

  Earlier this month, the government said it had received several ideas and proposals on MLFF and was looking into them. Separately, deputy works minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan revealed that MLFF would likely not be implemented as a single system across all highway concessions in the country, but instead in stages, with PLUS expected to lead the way in with its own version.

   

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• No toll price increase with implementation of MLFF

  In Local News / By Gerard Lye / 20 February 2025 9:57 am / 7 comments

  

  Toll prices will not be increased following the implementation of the multi-lane free flow (MLFF) toll collection system, The Star reports. This is according to deputy works minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, who added that the proposed project has yet to receive cabinet approval.

  “The initial estimated cost of RM3.46 billion will not be imposed on the government or highway users. This is because of the savings made by highway concessionaires due to reduced costs in maintenance, workers’ salaries and electricity at toll plazas once the MLFF is implemented,” said Ahmad.

  “These savings will be used for the MLFF system without increasing toll charges for users,” he continued in his response to a question from Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam) in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday (February 19, 2025). The RM3.46 billion estimate was provided under a previous proposal by KJS Sdn Bhd and SEP Snergy (M) Sdn Bhd, which was automatically terminated on December 16 last year – the agreement was initially signed on November 17, 2022.

  Ahmad said the government remains committed to implementing the MLFF system as a solution to traffic congestion at highway toll plazas. “The cabinet will soon decide on the direction of the MLFF system’s implementation,” he noted.

  

  This will require the preparation of a cabinet paper, which is pending feedback from the transport ministry, finance ministry, attorney general’s chambers (AGC) and the Public Private Partnership Unit (UKAS) under the prime minister’s department.

  The proposed MLFF project, which will require approval from all 33 highway concessionaires, is expected to attract bids from several companies. Ahmad added that the government will consider recommendations by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to conduct a cost-benefit analysis for the project.

  Earlier this week, the PAC said the implementation of the MLFF system would not fully resolve traffic congestion on highways. Ahmad acknowledged this but said the project would be a step towards addressing the issue. PAC launched its probe into the MLFF project last February following protests by 33 highway concessionaires against the direct awarding of the project to a private company without consulting stakeholders.

  On a related matter, Ahmad said highway concessionaires have the right to implemented the MLFF system independently, although this will be subject to the cabinet’s directive and the overall direction of the MLFF system. This is in relation to reports that PLUS Malaysia will implement the MLFF system come April this year.

   

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• Public Accounts Committee recommends KKR, LLM conduct detailed cost-benefit analysis of MLFF project

  In Local News / By Mick Chan / 19 February 2025 11:20 am / 3 comments

  

  The Public Accounts Committee has recommended that the works ministry (KKR) and the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) conduct a more detailed cost-benefit analysis on the multi-lane free flow (MLFF) toll collection project, Bernama has reported.

  This recommendation was made after the committee concluded that the implementation of MLFF would not fully resolve traffic congestion on highways, said PAC chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, and this was one of six recommendations made by the PAC in Dewan Rakyat regarding the management of the MLFF project under KKR and LLM, according to the report.

  Mas Ermieyati added that KKR needs to finalise the direction of the MLFF system promptly after the appointment agreement had expired on December 16 last year.

  “KKR needs to seek detailed advice or reviews from the ministry of finance or the public-private partership unit (KKAS) to confirm the best procurement method for implementing MLFF. The implementation of MLFF should be carried out using the best method, with no cost implications to the government or users,” she was quoted as saying in a statement.

  

  The Public Accounts Committee also stated its view that it would be inappropriate for the government to sign any agreements with significant impact during a caretaker government period, Mas Ermieyati added. “As an immediate measure, LLM and the concessionaire companies need to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of toll collection at each toll plaza,” she said.

  Following the government’s announcement in March 2023 that RM3.46 billion would be allocated for the MLFF, and the PAC had held six proceedings on the matter from February 26, 2024 to November 19, 2024.

  The committee called witnesses including the works ministry’s secretary general, the former secretary-general from December 2021 to September 2023, its deputy secretary-general for policy and development, the public-private partnership unit (UKAS) director-general, LLM director-general, the president of the Malaysian Highway Concession Companies Association and the Selangor Network Consortium project director, reported Bernama.

  As a result of the proceedings, 11 conclusions were made by the public accounts committee. The PAC report on the MLFF implementation management under KKR and LLM can be downloaded for reading on the PAC website.

   

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• PLUS to implement MLFF in April 2025: Ahmad Maslan

  In Local News / By Mick Chan / 14 February 2025 11:27 am / 5 comments

  

  The multi-lane fast flow toll fare collection system will be first implemented by highway concessionaire PLUS Malaysia, instead of implementing a single system across all highway concessions in the country, reported the New Straits Times.

  “For the single system, it is quite difficult to implement because there are 33 highway concessions managing over 2,000 km of roads, with a significant portion under [PLUS Malaysia],” deputy works minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said in response to a question in Dewan Rakyat.

  Ahmad Maslan also confirmed that PLUS Malaysia will begin implementing their own version of MLFF in April as the Malaysian government continues discussions on the financial aspects of the transition. In November, Ahmad Maslan said that PLUS opposed the overlapping concession, and the highway operator stated it can implement MLFF independently.

  Initially planned for implementation in the third quarter of 2024, the Malaysian cabinet has terminated negotiations with the operators, while works minister Alexander Nanta Linggi said last month that the MLFF system still needs further refining.

  Earlier this month, the works minister said that the government has received several ideas and proposals on the implementation of the MLFF system, and also said earlier in December last year that the main obstacle to the implementation of MLFF was the difficulty of finalising its governing structure because as of November, 13 highway concessionaires were not in agreement over the MLFF system’s implementation.

   

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• PLUS to start pilot testing of its own gateless gantry toll system in April; system to be linked to JPJ – report

  In Local News / By Jonathan James Tan / 12 February 2025 11:45 am / 9 comments

  

  This has been talked about for a very long time, but are we finally going to see something soon? Astro Awani writes, citing a report by The Edge, that several highway concessionaires are taking it upon themselves to develop their own gateless toll system, with PLUS Expressways Berhad targeting to start pilot testing in April.

  While details of the system are still unknown, PLUS has an advantage through its Teras Teknologi subsidiary, which presently provides electronic toll collection systems for most highway concessionaires. PLUS also plans to link its system with the road transport department (JPJ), so that drivers with unpaid tolls will not be allowed to renew their road taxes, according to Astro Awani.

  This ‘pass now, pay later’ method seems to be the way to realise going through tolls at speed, at least for now. Touch ‘n Go eWallet last month launched SOS Balance, the first such system in Malaysia. Still not gateless, but it allows ‘good’ users (you use the app and reload frequently, pay on time etc) to pass tolls with insufficient balance. The payment must be made within 24 hours by reloading the eWallet, and you can only ‘delay’ RM80 a day, tops.

  Also known as Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF), gateless gantries were talked about in Malaysia as early as 2008. PLUS said in 2015 that it would introduce the system in 2018, which of course came and went. According to Astro Awani, the government previously set a 2025 target for it, so let’s see if it happens this year, shall we?

   

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• Government has received several ideas and proposals on MLFF, we will accept them later – works minister

  In Local News / By Jonathan Lee / 5 February 2025 2:54 pm / 9 comments

  

  The never-ending saga of multi-lane fast flow (MLFF) toll collection in Malaysia continues, with works minister Alexander Nanta Linggi confirming that his ministry has accepted several ideas and proposals on the system’s implementation, Berita Harian reported.

  Nanta Linggi did not elaborate further on the matter, only telling reporters yesterday: “There are ideas, we will accept them later.”

  As yet, it is unclear if the said proposals included those submitted by highway concessionaires to finance the construction of free-flow lanes at toll plazas, the publication stated. It was previously reported that the nation’s 32 highway concessionaires may be footing the bill for the construction themselves, which would apparently save them more than RM1 billion.

  In 2023, quoting sources familiar with the matter, Free Malaysia Today said the concessionaires objected to the government’s decision to directly award the MLFF project for every highway to a single private company. The concessionaires were reportedly not consulted on the project and would have been on the hook for RM3.46 billion for the entire project.

  

  Later, Nanta Linggi said the MLFF system was approved by both the previous and current governments as it was already used in developed countries. “Malaysia is united when it comes to the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) and we have agreed on the MLFF system. Perhaps [the issue] concerns which contractor will handle or operate it,” he said.

  Nanta Linggi added that a company had initially signed a two-year agreement for a proof of concept and that period has since lapsed. “As such, a memorandum or proposal paper will be raised to the cabinet later to state that the previous matter had expired, as well as [what] the government’s future direction will be.”

  On 11 December, Nanta Linggi said that the main obstacle to the implementation of MLFF was the difficulty of finalising its governing structure. This is because 13 highway concessionaires were not in agreement over the MLFF system’s implementation.

  To recap, the MLFF system aims to relieve traffic congestion by providing seamless automatic toll payments without any barriers, similar to Singapore’s Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system. After years of talk, a proof of concept was planned for 2023, but the project has since been mired in indecision as the works ministry has continuously failed to reach a consensus with all highway concessionaires.

   

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• MLFF to be refined further to ensure safety, efficiency; views of industry players sought – works minister

  In Local News / By Jonathan Lee / 23 January 2025 7:38 pm / 5 comments

  

  The multi-lane fast flow (MLFF) toll collection system has been a long-running issue that has dragged on for way longer than its initially-planned deadline for implementation in the third quarter of 2024. The main holdup is trying to get all highway concessionaires to agree on the system’s direction, and last we heard, the cabinet has terminated negotiations with the operators.

  Unfortunately, we may have to wait a little longer yet – speaking to reporters at the Touch ‘n Go eWallet SOS Balance launch, works minister Alexander Nanta Linggi said the system still needs to be fine-tuned before its eventual implementation. This is despite a paper regarding the MLFF system’s direction set to be presented to the cabinet for consideration and approval this month.

  “The issue [of MLFF] needs to be refined,” he said. “This is why we are taking in a lot of opinions and offers. We have also heard from industry players on the matter, so hopefully in the end we can get the best [solution] when the time comes for a decision to be made.”

  This suggests that the authorities and stakeholders have yet to actually make a decision on the system, meaning its implementation may still be a ways away from becoming a reality. According to the minister, the safety and efficiency – the latter being a particular worry as leakages are possible – of MLFF is the main concern.

  

  “Because this system is meant to smoothen the traffic flow on highways, it is very important that we ensure that the safety [of MLFF] is improved, and we will also need to address issues with congestion and so on. Of course, we will also need to improve the efficiency of the system, because otherwise there will be implications.

  “For instance, there may be those who do not pay [the toll fee] and there will be a lot of losses. We will also ensure that there is sufficient enforcement of any necessary laws once MLFF is implemented,” Nanta Linggi added.

  To recap, the MLFF system aims to relieve traffic congestion by providing seamless automatic toll payments without any barriers, similar to Singapore’s Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system. After years of talk, a proof of concept was planned for 2023, but the project has since been mired in indecision as the works ministry has continuously failed to reach a consensus with all highway concessionaires.

   

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• Cabinet paper on MLFF direction to be submitted in Jan 2025 – no more negotiations with concessionaries

  In Local News / By Gerard Lye / 17 December 2024 12:59 pm / 4 comments

  

  Deputy works minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan has revealed the cabinet paper outlining the direction of the multi-lane free flow (MLFF) toll collection system will be presented in January 2025, reports Malay Mail.

  He added that the works ministry (KKR) has issued letters to highway concessionaries involved in the MLFF project informing them that negotiations would no longer proceed. “KKR will prepare and submit the cabinet paper on the MLFF direction for Cabinet’s consideration and approval in January 2025,” Ahmad said.

  This comes after Ahmad said last month that a decision on the MLFF system would be finalised by December 16, as it required the approval of highway concession companies involved. Earlier this month, works minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi pointed out that the main challenge in implementing the MLFF system was finalising its governance structure.

  The process is deemed to be complicated as it involved obtaining the approval of numerous parties, while also needing to draft the legislation for the system’s implementation. It was previously reported that 13 out of 33 highway concessionaries have yet to agree to the implementation of MLFF toll collection system. Most highways were developed by private developers who had financial backing from private entities, which adds to the complexity of MLFF implementation.

   

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• MLFF toll decision by December 16 – Ahmad Maslan

  In Local News / By Mick Chan / 22 November 2024 3:05 pm / 5 comments

  

  The Malaysian government will decide on the implementation of the multi-lane free flow (MLFF), reported the New Straits Times.

  “We need to reach an agreement on the matter. The issue lies in overlapping concessionaires. A new concessionaire intends to implement MLFF in addition to the 33 concessionaires, which operate in 33 areas, covering about 2,000 km,” said deputy works minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.

  Highway operator PLUS Malaysia, which operates more than 1,000 km of highways, opposes the overlapping concession, and it does not agree to the place as it can implement MLFF toll operation independently, the deputy works minister said. “This matter is under serious consideration, and we will prepare a cabinet paper for a final decision,” he added.

  

  In December 2023, it was reported that 32 highway toll concessionaires in Malaysia have protested the government’s move to directly award the multi-lane free flow (MLFF) project.

  In response, works minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi issued a statement, saying that the previous government had received approval in principle for the execution of the MLFF project, however this approval was given in order to allow the negotiation process between the parties involved to move forward.

  In March 2022, the Malaysian government said that RM3.46 billion had been allocated for the planned implementation of the MLFF system – then called multi-lane free flow – with a planned introduction in 2025. In July last year, the works minster said he hoped to have an earlier agreement with the companies in order for MLFF to be implemented sooner at the end of 2024.

   

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• Berjaya reported to be ready to compete with YTL for MLFF toll project, talking to highway concessionaires

  In Local News / By Anthony Lim / 19 February 2024 1:29 pm / 7 comments

  

  In December, a total of 32 highway toll concessionaires protested the government’s move to directly award the the multi-lane free-flow toll system (MLFF) contract to a single, private company. The concessionaires said that the “appointment agreement” with KJS-SEP Synergy, a company linked to YTL Corporation, for the project was carried out without consulting the highway concessionaires, who would eventually foot the bill.

  Now, another name has emerged on that front, with the Berjaya Group said to be seeking support from highway concessionaires on a competing bid to install the proposed barrier-free system at toll plazas, FMT reports.

  A source told the news publication that senior Berjaya executives have held individual meetings with representatives of the 32 concessionaires to get feedback before submitting its final proposal to the works ministry. The source reportedly said that the Berjaya offer is more palatable compared to the earlier proposal, which is still being considered by the government.

  

  The source said that the Berjaya proposal would let the highway concessionaires construct their own MLFF toll booths, while Berjaya or another company would provide toll collection services. With this approach, the concessionaires will get their revenue the next day, as is being practised now, the source revealed.

  The report added that concessionaires are proposing that the company providing the toll collection service to take care of revenue leaks that arise when toll booth barriers are removed, as the companies do not want to be bogged down with tracking down motorists who drive through toll plazas without paying.

  The concessionaires also want the MLFF to be implemented only at major toll plazas in the Klang Valley, Penang and Johor, where traffic congestion is worse. This, the source told FMT, would bring down the deployment cost by 30%. It has previously been reported that RM3.46 billion had been allocated to implement a MLFF system by 2025.

  

  The objection from highway concessionaires to the government’s plan of appointing the one company to handle the MLFF project stems from issues of cost and over contracts. The companies contended that they could implement a free-flow system for at least 30% less than the YTL proposal, and added that the move would also violate their individual agreements with the government.

  They contended that the YTL plan would allow the new company to take over the concessionnaires’ toll operations and validation process, which would give rise to “potential integrity issues” regarding traffic and toll revenue. Under the agreement, the company would stand to collect RM650 million to RM850 million annually from the concessionaires over a 20-year period.

  The government has not made a decision on the matter. Last month, it was reported that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was set to investigate the management of the MLFF’s implementation by the works ministry.

   

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• MLFF: All aspects of project being studied, highway operators still have full rights to toll collection – KKR

  In Local News / By Mick Chan / 7 December 2023 1:58 pm / 5 comments

  

  In response to earlier coverage on the multi-lane fast flow (MLFF) project and the 32 highway toll concessionaires’ objection to the direct awarding of the project, works minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi has issued a statement.

  The works ministry of Malaysia, together with the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) are studying all aspects which involve the execution of the MLFF project that was planned by the previous Malaysian government, and which began in 2021, Nanta said.

  The previous government had received approval in principle for the execution of the MLFF project, however this approval was given in order to allow the negotiation process between the parties involved to move forward, he said.

  

  Even though the initial planning and approval stages for the MLFF project began in 2021, the works minister realises the need for better scrutiny and enhancement, particularly on the legal aspects to ensure that the MLFF project proceeds smoothly to benefit the people, he added.

  The initiative requires the cooperation and support of not just the works ministry, but also from the highway concessionaires and the highest levels of the unity government, Nanta continued.

  In March last year, the Malaysian government said that RM3.46 billion has been allocated for the planned implementation of the MLFF system – then called multi-lane free flow – with a planned introduction in 2025. In July this year, the works minster said he hoped to have an earlier agreement with the companies in order for MLFF to be implemented sooner at the end of 2024.

   

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• Highway toll concessionaires in Malaysia protest direct awarding of MLFF project to private company

  In Local News / By Mick Chan / 5 December 2023 12:59 pm / 17 comments

  

  A total of 32 highway toll concessionaires in Malaysia have protested the government’s move to directly award multi-lane fast flow (MLFF) project, Free Malaysia Today reports.

  Citing sources with knowledge of the matter, FMT says that the Malaysian government has signed an “appointment agreement” with KJS-SEP Synergy, a company linked to YTL Corporation, for the project valued at RM3.46 billion without consulting the highway concessionaires who will eventually foot the bill.

  The Association of Highway Concessionaires Malaysia (PSKLM) has sent a letter of objection to the works ministry, and claim that the move violates their individual agreements with the government, according to the sources. PSKLM is seeking legal advice on the matter, as the government has offered KJS-SEP Synergy a 20-year concession.

  

  The association adds that, in offering a concession to a third party over their existing concessions, the new offer is against the existing agreements.

  “The ministry is putting up another paper any time soon to conclude the appointment without consent from the concessionaires. Neither were they given any details on the terms of the appointment. In the absence of those details, it is unfair for the government to do this without our consent as parties with live contracts,” a source was quoted by FMT as saying.

  Separately, PSKLM had sent an official letter signed by all 18 companies representing the concessionaires, with an executive summary of how its new award would work against them and the government, according to another source informing FMT.

  The main concerns are of the project’s estimated cost of RM3.46 billion, which PSKLM claims can be reduced by 30% is the individual companies are allowed to build and implement the MLFF system by themselves. The awarding of the project “smacks of a major monopoly”, according to one of the sources, which claims the total toll revenue annually is about RM6 billion.

  

  Toll fare leakage – such as from toll evasion – is currently 0.01%, according to a source, who questions the ability of a third-party collection in sustaining the low rate of leakage with a barrierless system

  “After the implementation, the company will recover its implementation cost with an annual payment of between RM650 million and RM800 million by concessionaires,” it said, adding that the company has no experience in the industry, and that the cost competition “is questionable as there has been no cost-benefit analysis”.

  In addition, the source adds that current toll operations and their validation process by concession companies will be taken over by KJS-SEP, with potential integrity issues in terms of traffic and toll revenue as the process would be controlled by a single company “without checks and balances”.

  In October, The Edge Malaysia reported that a private sector proposal for MLFF implementation was met with lukewarm response.

  The news outlet was told by sources that the concessionaires were not comfortable with third parties undertaking toll collection on their behalf because there could be leakages, which could affect overall toll collection. The current rate of leakage from vehicles not paying toll charges is 0.01%, and a source questions the ability of a third-party collection in sustaining the low rate of leakage from a barrierless toll system.

   

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• Public works minister hopes for earlier agreement with highway companies to implement MLFF by end-2024

  In Local News / By Mick Chan / 11 July 2023 9:41 am / 6 comments

  

  The multi-lane fast flow (MLFF) toll payment system is expected to be implemented in 2025, said public works minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, though he hopes to get an earlier agreement with the companies in order for MLFF to be implemented sooner at the end of 2024, Bernama has reported.

  This system is still in the process of consultation with the highway concession companies, the minister said. “Various other related matters need to be refined because it involves many concession companies as well as legislation, regulation, preparation to develop the system and the technology involved,” he said in a Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) interview.

  In March, the public works minister announced that the Sungai Besi Expressway (Besraya) has been chosen as the first pilot location for MLFF, and its implementation is set to completed by the end of October this year.

  Meanwhile, the Maju Expressway (MEX) and the highway network under IJM Corporation Berhad (IJM) will begin using the OPS payment system, or open payment system this September, before it is extended to 10 more concession companies, Nanta said.

  “This OPS can provide more flexible payment options to users because they can be paid using a debit card, Visa or Mastercard card. in the future, [the ministry of public works] will consider e-wallet payments,” he said.

   

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• Ekovest to start MLFF toll collection pilot test on DUKE

  In Local News / By Mick Chan / 8 June 2023 5:53 pm / 2 comments

  

  Highway concessionaire Ekovest is collaborating with technology partner Amtel Holdings to run its pilot test of its multi-lane fast flow (MLFF) system on its highway, according to The Edge.

  Ekovest has been conducting proof-of-concept (POC) testing for its MLFF system with Amtel since late 2022 as part of its initiative to reduce congestion and accidents on its highways, Ekovest managing director Tan Sri Lim Keng Cheng said.

  The private proof-of-concept sees its highway, the Duta-Ulu Klang Expressway (DUKE) and Amtel aim to showcase the compatibility of on-board unit (OBU) systems with future MLFF technology, which is camera-based in order to recognise vehicle number plates, Lim said. In practice, the potential integration of the two technologies is “not too dissimilar” to the electronic road pricing (ERP) system used in Singapore, Lim added.

  

  Electronic road pricing (ERP) gantry in Singapore

  “The private POC is currently going on smoothly and DUKE intends to share its findings with the Ministry of Works (KKR) and the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) for their deliberation with the MLFF technology provider,” Lim told The Edge.

  The DUKE is the second highway to take part in POC testing for the MLFF system, Lim said; the first is the IJM-owned Sungai Besi Expressway (Besraya), according to the report.

  Amtel is still working to fine-tune the effectiveness of the MLFF system, said its chief executive Chester Koid Siang Loong. “MLFF is a major game changer for Malaysia highway users. Once both Ekovest and Amtel are satisfied with the MLFF pilot results, we shall present it to KKR for their consideration,” Koid said.

  

  Two key components are involved in the implementation of MLFF, said Koid; these are the camera-based automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system, and a battery-powered, tag-based system for toll fare deduction, Koid explained.

  “I believe using a battery-powered device such as OBU, commonly known as the In-Vehicle Unit (IU) in Singapore, would guarantee better results compared to a sticker tag. As we move towards MLFF, the introduction of RFID or other alternative devices as an option to support MLFF is a good initiative, but we should not forget about the highway users whose existing devices still work perfectly fine and [don’t want to] be burdened with purchasing new devices or tags,” he said.

  Both infrared – such as SmartTag – and RFID-based systems can co-exist, and ultimately Koid urges technology companies to continue to innovate and improve their products and services, according to the report.

  In March this year, the works ministry announced that five highways in Malaysia will begin running an open payment system for toll collection by this September, and this announcement was quickly followed by a statement that the government will hold a proof-of concept for MLFF before the end of October 2023 to evaluate the system.

   

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• DUKE joins 11 other highways in implementing open toll payment system – second location for MLFF POC

  In Local News / By Gerard Lye / 12 April 2023 3:51 pm / 4 comments

  

  The Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE) is the latest highway set to implement an open toll payment system, which is expected to start in September this year. This is according to works minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, who also said in a recent Facebook post that there are now 12 highways that will implement the system. They list includes:

  • Sungai Besi Expressway (BESRAYA or E9)
  • New Pantai Expressway (NPE or E10)
  • Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (AKLEH or E12)
  • Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE or E35)
  • Penang Bridge (E36)
  • Butterworth-Kulim Expressway (E15)
  • Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP or E11)
  • SPRINT Highway (E23)
  • Shah Alam Expressway (E5)
  • SMART Tunnel (E38)
  • Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya Expressway (MEX or E20)
  • Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE or E33)

  With the open toll payment system, motorists will be able to use debit or credit cards at specific terminals prepared at toll plazas to pay for toll. PLUS announced last month that motorists who wish to use debit or credit cards to pay for toll will have to utilise the radio frequency identification (RFID) lanes to do so.

  

  Nanta had also said previously that the implementation of an open toll payment system is one of the preparatory steps for the transition towards multi-lane fast flow (MLFF) toll collection. Referring to his recent statement, the DUKE has been chosen as the second location for the implementation of the proof of concept (POC) after the BESRAYA to evaluate the MLFF system before it is implemented on all highways in Malaysia.

  “As we all know, the implementation of the open toll payment system is an initial preparation for the transition towards the MLFF system, before it is fully implemented in phases by the third quarter of 2024,” Nanta said in a report by Bernama.

  “This effort is hoped to provide an opportunity for the government, concession companies and the parties involved to identify and resolve all issues that may hinder the smooth implementation of the MLFF system in the future,” he added.

   

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