26 October 2007

PUTRAJAYA: A working paper on toll increase based on the agreement by eight concessionaires will be submitted to the Cabinet.�

Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the ministry must send a report to the Cabinet 60 days prior to the agreement taking effect on Jan 1.

�It is up to the Cabinet to make a final decision. If the Cabinet says no (to the increase), then no,� he said, adding that nothing had been discussed yet.�

Samy Vellu said the working paper would be given to to all ministries concerned for comments.�

He was speaking to reporters after opening the Global Business Convention for the Network of International Sikh Entrepreneurship yesterday.�

Early this month, Samy Vellu said Malaysians could expect a 10% increase in toll rates, with eight concessionaires raising their charges from Jan 1. �

However, he said his ministry was trying to work out a �win-win� situation for the concessionaires and the public, adding that should the Cabinet disapprove of the increase, the present rate would apply.�

On another matter, Samy Vellu said the MIC would not hold a Deepavali open house this year as his family was mourning the death of his younger brother.�

�According to the Hindu tradition, we have to mourn for a year and so I will not be celebrating Deepavali this year,� he said.�

Datuk S. Palani Vellu, a 68-year-old lawyer, died of a heart attack in May.�