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THE government has no plans to introduce a congestion charge for private vehicles in Kuala Lumpur, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook.
Loke made the announcement following a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Road Safety and Traffic Congestion, where the issue was discussed in detail. The committee, he explained, is prioritising improvements in public transportation before considering such measures.
"The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has not and is not planning to implement a congestion charge on private vehicles at this time," Loke stated during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara today.
The minister was responding to a query from Senator Tan Sri Low Kian Chuan, who had asked whether the ministry would consider implementing a congestion tax now that First Mile and Last Mile connectivity issues have been addressed through on-demand van services.
Loke explained that studies on the potential implementation of a congestion charge are ongoing.
The research is being conducted by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) and the Malaysia Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC), focusing on the mechanisms for implementation, projections of reduced traffic, and the expected increase in public transport usage.
Additionally, the Ministry of Transport is currently working on the Klang Valley Public Transport Strategic Plan, which includes studies on origin-destination patterns, aiming to serve as a benchmark for enhancing the quality of public transport not only in the capital but across the country.
Loke emphasised that advanced countries typically introduce congestion charges only after they have established a robust public transport system.
"This is because such measures are only feasible once there is a reliable and efficient public transport infrastructure in place," he explained.
The government's stance reflects its commitment to strengthening Malaysia's public transport network before considering more stringent traffic management measures. – March 25, 2025