To reduce expenses incurred by voters returning home to cast their ballot paper on voting day this Saturday, caretaker Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has announced that there will be no toll charges on Nov 18 and 19.
Ismail Sabri said the free toll charges involved highways operated by 30 concessionaires and will start beginning 12.01am on Nov 18 until 11.59pm on Nov 19.
“This is to reduce the people’s cost of returning home to vote for the 15th General Election (GE15).
“The free toll charges applies to all Class 1 private vehicles, which accounted for 90 per cent of the total vehicles commuting along the participating highways,” he said in his speech at the ground breaking ceremony of Wisma Cuepacs at Presint 18 here today.
The move to provide free toll charges, he said, was made following discussion between the Works Ministry and the participating toll concessionaires.
“I am declaring Nov 19 as a public holiday too since I am aware that there are companies in the private sector operating on Saturday, causing their workers unable to vote on that day.
“I want to make sure all Malaysians can exercise their rights as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
“No one can prevent a Malaysian citizen from exercising their rights and responsibilities to vote,” he said.
He also announced that all civil servants will receive their salaries on Nov 17.
As for pensioners, Ismail Sabri said the government retirees will have their pension credited into their accounts today.
A total of 21,173,638 eligible voters are expected to cast their ballots at 9,536 polling centres around the country in this election.
They will vote for elected representatives at 222 parliamentary constituencies around the country and 116 states seats in Perlis, Perak and Pahang.
GE15 is being simultaneously with the Bugaya state seat by-election in Sabah. – NST ONLINE
