KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 — Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan cautioned that while Malaysians continue to show interest in new highway projects, financial viability must remain the government’s priority.
Citing financial statements for 2024, Ahmad Maslan said 12 toll concessionaires nationwide reported losses:
Loss‑making highway concessionaires
Maju Expressway Sdn Bhd
- Kuala Lumpur–Putrajaya Expressway (MEX)
ANIH Berhad
- KL–Karak Expressway (KLK)
- East Coast Expressway Phase 1 (LPT1)
KESAS/Kemuning–Shah Alam Highway operator
- Kemuning–Shah Alam Highway
Prolintas Group
- Damansara–Shah Alam Elevated Expressway (DASH)
- Setiawangsa–Pantai Expressway (SPE)
- Sungai Besi–Ulu Kelang Elevated Expressway (SUKE)
Senai–Desaru Expressway Bhd
- Senai–Desaru Expressway (SDE)
SKVE Holdings Sdn Bhd
- South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE)
LEKAS Sdn Bhd
- Kajang–Seremban Expressway (LEKAS)
SMART Tunnel operator (MMC–Gamuda JV)
West Coast Expressway Sdn Bhd
- West Coast Expressway (WCE)
In contrast, Ahmad Maslan also confirmed that 15 concessionaires operating 18 highways reported profits:
Profitable highway concessionaires
PLUS Malaysia Berhad
- North–South Expressway (PLUS)
- North–South Central Link (NSECL)
- ELITE
- Butterworth–Kulim Expressway (BKE)
- Seremban–Port Dickson Highway (SPDH)
- Malaysia–Singapore Second Link
- Penang Bridge
ANIH Berhad
- East Coast Expressway Phase 2 (LPT2)
- Sungai Besi Highway
Prolintas Group
- Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE)
- Ampang–Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (AKLEH)
- Kajang SILK Highway (SILK)
- Duta–Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE)
Gamuda Group
- Damansara–Puchong Expressway (LDP)
- Shah Alam Expressway (KESAS)
- SPRINT Highway
- New Pantai Expressway (NPE)
IJM Corporation Berhad
- New North Klang Straits Bypass (NNKSB)
Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd
He was responding to a supplementary question from Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan on the performance of the concessionaires.
He then urged careful planning and financial assessment before the development of new highways in Malaysia.
He warned that if traffic volumes are insufficient, highway operators may later request that the road be taken over by the government as a non-tolled federal route.
In such cases, he said the government would bear the financial burden, including ongoing maintenance costs.
“For example, a proposed highway from Terengganu to Kota Bharu with an estimated toll of RM70 and a project cost of RM10 billion, would it be profitable?
“If not, it will create future difficulties because the government would eventually have to absorb the losses when taking over the highway,” he added.
