Malaysia Announces 50% Toll Discount for Deepavali 2026

The Malaysian government has announced a 50% toll discount for motorists across nationwide expressways on 6 and 7 November 2026 in conjunction with the Deepavali celebration. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi confirmed the 48-hour initiative commences at midnight on Friday and concludes at 11:59pm on Saturday. The concession covers Class 1 private vehicles nationwide and Class 2 vehicles on the Penang Bridge, with exclusions at southern international border checkpoints. The government will absorb an estimated RM20.11 million in compensation payments to highway concessionaires, easing travel costs for drivers using Touch 'n Go cards and eWallets during the festive holiday.

Key Facts

The Deepavali 2026 toll discount provides a 50% rate reduction for private vehicles across Malaysian expressways over a two-day window on 6 and 7 November. Administered by the Works Ministry and the Malaysian Highway Authority, the framework subsidises travel costs for holiday motorists while excluding international border crossing plazas.

The Malaysian government will allocate RM20.11 million to compensate participating concessionaires for the two-day toll reduction.

Which Highway Plazas and Vehicle Classes Qualify for the Relief?

The 50% discount applies to Class 1 private vehicles across all nationwide toll plazas and Class 2 vehicles crossing the Penang Bridge between 6 and 7 November 2026. However, regular toll charges remain active at the Sultan Iskandar Building on PLUS and Tanjung Kupang on the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link.

Implementation across all participating expressways is overseen by the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) to facilitate smooth passage for festive travellers. The exclusion of border checkpoints aligns with historical holiday policies, ensuring traffic concessions target domestic travel.

"This decision reflects the ongoing concern and commitment of the Madani government in preserving the welfare and well-being of the people regardless of race, religion and belief, while also strengthening the spirit of unity and harmony among Malaysia's multi-ethnic society,"

Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Works Minister

Border toll plazas at the Sultan Iskandar Building and Tanjung Kupang are entirely excluded from the 50% Deepavali discount.

How Will the RM20.11 Million Concessionaire Compensation Be Administered?

The Malaysian government expects to disburse RM20.11 million to participating highway concessionaires to offset revenue losses resulting from the two-day 50% Deepavali discount. Payments will be coordinated by the Works Ministry and the Malaysian Highway Authority, with final settlement amounts determined after verifying actual recorded traffic volumes.

The reimbursement mechanism guarantees that concessionaires maintain operational standards while providing temporary economic relief to motorists returning to their hometowns. The Works Ministry confirmed that state funds will cover the total difference once traffic reconciliation across electronic toll collection lanes is completed.

Government compensation of RM20.11 million to highway operators remains subject to full verification of empirical traffic data.

What It Means for Malaysian Buyers

Malaysian motorists travelling interstate for Deepavali will experience a direct 50% reduction in private vehicle toll costs between midnight on 6 November and 11:59pm on 7 November 2026. Drivers must ensure digital toll instruments are funded before travelling, as regular tariffs apply immediately outside the two-day promotional window.

Motorists using the North-South Expressway or Penang Bridge receive substantial travel savings, but commuters crossing via the Singapore links will see no toll changes. The Works Minister advised road users to verify their Touch 'n Go cards or eWallet balances, check real-time traffic alerts through LLM channels, and maintain safe driving distances during peak congestion.

Travellers must maintain sufficient Touch 'n Go card or eWallet balances to avoid lane delays during the festive discount period.

Common Questions

Highway users across Malaysia can access essential information regarding eligibility, operating hours, and route exclusions for the 50% Deepavali toll discount. The Ministry of Works and LLM have established clear guidelines to help drivers plan journeys, manage toll payment balances, and avoid travel disruption during the holiday.

The toll concession applies strictly from midnight Friday, 6 November, through 11:59pm Saturday, 7 November 2026.

When is the 50% Deepavali toll discount active?

The 50% discount takes effect at 12:00am on Friday, 6 November 2026, and concludes at 11:59pm on Saturday, 7 November 2026. The rate reduction applies automatically to eligible vehicles passing through participating highway plazas during this continuous 48-hour festive travel window across Malaysia.

Which toll plazas are excluded from the festive discount?

The discount excludes the Sultan Iskandar Building toll plaza on the North-South Expressway and the Tanjung Kupang toll plaza on the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link. Motorists travelling through these southern international border checkpoints must pay standard highway toll rates throughout the two-day Deepavali holiday weekend.

What vehicle classes are eligible for the discount?

The 50% discount covers all Class 1 private vehicles across expressways nationwide, as well as Class 2 vehicles crossing the Penang Bridge. All other commercial, heavy, and passenger vehicle categories remain subject to standard highway toll rates during the two-day Deepavali promotion period.

Sources and Methodology

ROCKSTARmedia Tech compiled this report directly from official ministerial statements and regulatory notices issued on 5 November 2026 by the Ministry of Works. All data points, including compensation values, vehicle classifications, and operational schedules, were cross-referenced with public statements released by Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

All reported figures and operational timelines are sourced directly from verified Ministry of Works announcements on 5 November 2026.

• Primary Source: Lowyat.NET (reporting by Heirul Kamel, published 5 November 2026, referencing official statements by Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi).
• Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (RM); all figures reflect direct domestic allocations without conversion.