Government to issue RFP to reduce cost of MLFF project

Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the government is considering issuing a request for proposal (RFP) as an alternative approach for the RM3.46 billion Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) project, reports The Edge.

Ahmad Maslan explained that the moves aims to reduce the project’s costs, adding that the ministry had already announced its intention to issue the RFP.

“We have announced that we will issue an RFP as a ‘Plan B’. At the same time, we are giving until December for the companies involved in the MLFF proposal project,” he said.

He made the remarks in response to a supplementary question from Roslan Hashim (Perikatan Nasional-Kulim Bandar Baru) who wanted to know the current status of the MLFF project.

The MLFF is a barrier-free system designed to replace the existing booth-based toll collection system. It utilises gantries equipped with radio-frequency identification (RFID) devices along with an automated number plate recognition (ANPR) system for toll collection.

The proposed MLFF system is estimated to cost RM3.46 billion for 33 highways in Malaysia.

Last year, 32 highway toll concessionaires opposed the government’s move to appoint a YTL Holdings-related company to implement a barrier-free system a toll plazas due to the private entity’s lack of track record.

The concessionaires are concerned that allowing a third party to take over toll collection might result in leakages.

In February this year, FMT reported that senior executives from the Berjaya Group had been meeting with representatives of the 32 concessionaires to explain what they have in mind and to get their feedback before submitting its final proposal to the works ministry.

Last week, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi stated that negotiations for the MLFF system are ongoing, with several stages yet to be finalised before a decision is reached.