Works Ministry to PLUS and TnGo: Justify charging RM 35 for RFID stickers

The Works Ministry has ordered PLUS Highways and payments company Touch ‘n Go (TnG) to issue a report justifying the RM 35 selling price of RFID tags.

Works Minister Fadillah Yusof said that the rationale of the cost is necessary before making any decision to reduce the selling price of RFID tags. Once the report is issued, the Works Ministry will jointly evaluate it with the Finance Ministry.

“We want to know whether charging RM35 is justifiable. Otherwise, we will ensure a reduction in the cost for consumers,” he said at a press conference after inspecting the Kuala Terengganu bypass project.

According to Free Malaysia Today (FMT), the public, as well as politicians, have raised questions regarding the selling price of the RFID tags. They pointed out that generic RFID tags can be purchased online for as little as RM 3.80.

Also read: Works Ministry wants PLUS to explain problems with RFID’s execution

Furthermore, the RFID tags issued by TnG can be easily damaged and cannot be used on another vehicle further making the public question the RM 35 selling price.

On 15-January-2022, PLUS Highways opened at least one RFID lane at all 83 toll plazas on the North-South Highway from Juru, Penang, to Skudai, Johor.

Also read: PM: Highway users should not be forced to use RFID

However, videos and photos of RFID users having problems with the tags have gone viral garnering more backlash from the public.

Also read: No more SmartTag lanes soon, so where and how do I get an RFID tag?

Also read: PLUS finally apologises over RFID snafu, SmartTag lanes to be reinstalled