The rumours are true – Genting Malaysia will soon be imposing a private road charge (Caj Jalan Persendirian) toll fee on vehicles entering Jalan Genting Highlands, according to a statement the company published on Facebook.
According to the company, the charge is necessary “due to the steep and escalating costs of maintaining the 24 km private road and its slopes”, which it has borne since the 1960s.
In its statement, Genting Malaysia claims that “heavy usage” on Jalan Genting Highlands have caused accelerated wear and tear on the road, which requires constant maintenance to ensure the safety of road users, and the private road charge is the “most sustainable path” to finance the cost of upkeeping, repairs and maintenance, as well as other unforeseen incidents.
“This is a private initiative on a private road on private land. Genting Malaysia takes the responsibility of maintaining the safety of both the roads and the slopes seriously. Working on mountainous terrain is challenging, hazardous and expensive, but it is essential to ensure the safety of the road and the slopes for continuous improvement for all users,” the statement read.
“Genting Malaysia also employs teams stationed at mid-hill and hilltop on standby 24/7 for any contingencies with trained emergency response teams in case of mishaps and accidents.”
The company says that more information will be announced once details on the new private road toll charge are ready.
In recent years, the windy mountain roads have been frequently repurposed as an illegal makeshift hill climb-style racetrack by many automotive enthusiasts, which has resulted in increased occurrences of accidents.
