Smart Tunnel Toll Collection Begins Midnight Friday

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 - Toll collection at the Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) motorway will start at midnight on Friday and the rate will be announced shortly, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said.

"I'll announce the toll rate at a news conference in one or two days," he told reporters after opening the Hindu Dharma Mamandram national delegates' meeting in Batu Caves here Sunday.

Asked whether the government would guarantee that the toll rate would be reasonable and would not burden the public, Samy Vellu said they should understand that the cost of building a road tunnel was higher than that of a normal highway.

"I can't guarantee you that there'll be a reasonable toll because it cost a lot of money to build the tunnel," he said.

The RM1.9 billion project between Jalan Sungai Besi and Jalan Ampang includes a road tunnel costing 3.3kmRM650 million. Road users have been using the motorway for free since May 14.

Samy Vellu said the public had the option of using the road tunnel for speedier travel or other existing roads.

The 9.7km SMART project is meant to divert rain water away from the city centre to prevent flash floods and alleviate traffic congestion, especially for those coming into the city from the south.

Najib, Rosmah Attend Brunei Royal Couple's Bersanding Ceremony

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, June 10 - Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor today attended the ceremony of the "bersanding"Brunei Sultan's fourth princess, Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Puteri Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bulqiah and Pengiran Khairul Khalil Pengiran Syed Jaafari.

Najib and Rosmah were seated in the front at Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana of Istana Nurul Iman along with the Crown Prince of Brunei Paduka Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah and his consort Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah and the sultan's princes dan princesses.

The deputy prime minister and his wife later flew to Sabah to attend an official function there. They will return here tomorrow to attend the royal banquet at the royal banquet hall of Istana Nurul Iman.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah and Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud would also attend the banquet.

Also present at today's bersanding ceremony were Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, his wife and members of the foreign diplomatic corps based here.