State Government Appeals For Penang Bridge Toll Rate Not To Be Raised

PENANG, April 13 (Bernama) -- The Penang government is appealing to the federal government not to raise the toll rate for the Penang Bridge as the concessionaire has made profits from the toll collection.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the move to raise the toll was not appropriate as it would only burden the users.

"Between 1993 and 2006, the concession company had collected RM1.7 billion whereas the cost of its construction and maintenance was only RM968 million," he told reporters, here Tuesday.

The Penang Bridge Sdn Bhd is the concession holder for the Penang Bridge with a concession period of 25 years ending in 2018.

Meanwhile at the same press conference, the chairman of the InvestPenang Executive Committee, Datuk Lee Kah Choon announced the appointment of Loo Lee Lian, 49, as InvestPenang general manager effective Thursday.

Loo, who has 20 years' experience in the manufacturing industry, succeeds Wan Zailena Mohd Noordin, who has been transferred to Penang Development Corporation (PDC).