The Star Online: Metro: Central
The Star Online: Metro: Central |
| MBPJ and MPSJ want highway operators to obtain licence for each toll booth and plaza Posted: 27 May 2013 07:08 AM PDT HIGHWAY concessionaires in Selangor have till the end of June to apply for licences from the local councils to operate toll booths or risk facing legal action. Presently, toll booths built on federal land are allowed to operate for free. However, in a move to regulate highway concessionaires, Selangor is introducing the new regulation. Companies operating the toll booths are against the move that will see local councils charging up to RM1,000 a year per toll booth. The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) have notified highway concessionaires operating in areas under their jurisdictions but the notices have been snubbed. A source said the companies had decided to ignore the directive as the High Court decision on Feb 21 stated that local authorities had no power over structures built on federal roads. The High Court ruled that the Sepang Municipal Council was not allowed to remove the controversial Automated Enforcement System cameras put up along the North-South Expressway (PLUS) and the South Klang Valley Expressway. Based on the facts of the case, Kuala Lumpur High Court Judge Datuk Zaleha Yusof explained that the state was not the landowner and as such the Sepang Municipal Council and the Selangor government had no powers to decide on structures built on it. However, MBPJ and MPSJ are firm about implementing their regulation under the Trade, Licence, Business and Industry Bylaw 2007 that stipulates that any activity (including business) or structures built on roads under the council's jurisdiction have to be licensed and regulated by the council. Both councils have notified highway concessionaires to apply for business licences or risk being fined up to RM1,000 per booth. Meanwhile, charges for the toll plaza offices will vary according to the floor space of the building. MBPJ public relations director Haniza Abdul Hamid said the council was in the midst of drawing up the new guidelines that also require the toll plaza management and operations offices to have a business licence, which fees would be calculated based on floor space. "Toll collection is a business and MBPJ has the right to impose a business licence fee as the toll booths are not charitable organisations. It is no different from other businesses. "If other businesses nearby can comply, there is no reason for the highway concessionaires to be exempted," said Haniza. She added that the latter were collecting toll from the public and as such a business entity was subjected to the Licensing, Trade and Industry bylaws. MBPJ will also charge a monthly fee of RM30 for each logo fixed on the toll booths and an annual fee for signboards based on the size. "Revenue from the business licences will be used to upgrade basic amenities for the public," said Haniza. On an average, MBPJ and MPSJ will be able to earn RM300,000 annually from this move. MBPJ has eight toll plazas in its area — in Subang, Damansara, Kota Damansara and Sungai Buloh operated by PLUS, Penchala under Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP), Section 16 operated by Sprint Expressway and PJS2 and PJS5 under New Pantai Expressway. At the eight toll plazas, there are 128 toll booths. MPSJ has seven toll plazas. Three are along the LDP, two along Elite Highway, one along Kesas Highway and another one along Besraya Highway. Kinrara assemblyman Ng Sze Han said it was only fair that highway operators apply for licences, just like other businesses. The Malaysian Highway Authorities has declined to comment on the matter. |
| Six-hour road closure on Bukit Jalil Expressway Posted: 27 May 2013 06:59 AM PDT A 1km stretch along Bukit Jalil Expressway, facing SMK Seksyen 1 Bandar Kinrara, will be temporary closed for six hours from 11pm tonight, to facilitate the relocation of an overhead pedestrian bridge. Due to the temporary road closure, motorists from Bukit Jalil to Puchong will be diverted to Jalan Kinrara 6 and to Jalan Kinrara 5a before getting on to the other side of the expressway via Jalan Kinrara 5. In a statement, Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd also said motorists from Puchong to Bukit Jalil would be diverted to Jalan Kinrara 4 before entering Jalan Kinrara 2 and get back on the Bukit Jalil Expressway. "The relocation of the pedestrian bridge is to facilitate construction of the guideway for the LRT Line Extension Project, which connects the Ampang LRT Line from Seri Petaling to Putra Heights via Bandar Kinrara, Puchong, Shah Alam and Putra Heights. "The pedestrian bridge will be relocated to a new site, about 60m away from its current location," said Prasarana group communications and strategic marketing department executive vice-president Lim Jin Aun. "All works will be completed within six hours and traffic will return to normal by 5am tomorrow," he said. In addition to the extension of the Ampang LRT Line, Prasarana is also extending the Kelana Jaya LRT Line, stretching from the Kelana Jaya LRT station to Putra Heights, passing through Lembah Subang, Subang Jaya and USJ. |
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