Kuala Lumpur, Feb. 25 -- The government simply cannot buy over every toll concessionaire in the country to abolish tolls because this will reduce public funding for other projects, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.

The prime minister said that while he understands the frustration of the people who demand toll-free roads ? a Pakatan Harapan (PH) 2018 election promise ? he also hoped that the people would understand that taxpayers' monies which would be used.

"Yes, the criticisms from the people is bound to come because we did not abolish tolls. However, the people have to understand that though they don't have to pay tolls, the government will then have to pay tolls, and the government will pay tolls from the monies collected from the ...