NO FORMAL DECISION ON PLANS TO SELL TOLL CONCESSIONAIRE

From Leslean Arshad

PARIS, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- The government has not made any formal decision on
plans to sell PLUS Expressways Bhd and other toll concessionaires in Malaysia,
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said on Wednesday.

Najib said he had yet to see the toll concessionaires takeover proposal.

"I have not seen the proposal yet myself. We have not taken any formal
decision," he told a media briefing Wednesday, the final day of his four-day
official visit to France.

It was reported that a private entity, Asas Serba Sdn Bhd, had in May this
year proposed to the Works Ministry to acquire all the 22 highway concessionaire
companies for RM50 billion (US$14.7 billion).

The company is said to be backed by four businessmen, including former PLUS
top officials.

Najib said he was waiting for the final proposal from the Economic Planning
Unit (EPU) on the toll structure study.

"I will defer making a statement until we make the final decision," he said.

The EPU has been given the task to carry out a study on highway concessions
which entails a review of toll rates to ease the burden of road users.
-- BERNAMA