Instead, Putrajaya will replace these exemptions with a “more targeted approach”, he said according to Berita Harian.

He did not elaborate on the approach the government intends to take, but said it would be announced in the near future.

Nanta said the government had decided on abolishing toll exemptions during festive seasons at a Cabinet meeting last year.

“(The decision to abolish toll exemptions) is aligned with our efforts to implement targeted subsidies. The details will be announced soon,” he was quoted as saying.

The last time the government announced toll exemptions was in conjunction with the Christmas holiday.

The exemption applied to personal cars, which are categorised as Class 1 vehicles.

Nanta said last month that the toll exemption initiative would cost the government about RM38 million.

According to Berita Harian, the government forked out RM80 million to provide toll exemptions for the festive seasons last year.