Private Firm In Talks Over Plus Takeover Bid

(Bernama) – Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof has confirmed that a private company has been in talks with his ministry and the Economic Plannung Unit (EPU) over a bid to take over Projek Lebuh Raya Utara-Selatan (PLUS), which owns the country’s most lucrative highway concession.

“Any proposal must be on a business-to-business basis, our role at the government level is as a facilitator to ensure the discussions use the best methods,” he said, adding his ministry is only a technical and implementation monitor, with the EPU making the final decision.

He was speaking to reporters after attending a Family Well-being through Education programme organised by the Community Development Department (Kemas) here Thursday.

PLUS, which operates several highways including the 772 km North-South Expressway, was taken private in 2012 by a joint venture between government-linked companies the Employees Provident Fund (KWSP) and UEM Group Bhd, but a private company, Idaman Saga Sdn Bhd, recently renewed its bid to take over PLUS.

Meanwhile, Fadillah said all the country’s highway concessionaires are holding talks with the EPU on the restructuring of highway toll hikes, adding the ministry is expected to meet the EPU over the matter in mid-May.