If you're planning to balik kampung, visit relatives, or just escape the city for a couple of days, here's a small but very real win for your wallet: the government has announced a 50% toll discount for Chinese New Year travel, happening on 14 and 15 February. Those two days fall on the weekend right before Chinese New Year, which is usually when highways start getting busy with people moving around.
It's basically the familiar festive-season toll relief we've seen before, brought back again for this holiday rush.
Why the government is doing this
According to Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi, the aim is straightforward: reduce travel costs for people heading home or taking a holiday during the festive period, and also help with travel planning ahead of Ramadan. In other words, it's positioned as both a holiday perk and a practical move for a season where travel tends to spike.
If you've driven during festive peaks before, you'll know tolls aren't the biggest cost compared to fuel, food, and maybe a hotel — but they are one of the few costs that can be instantly reduced for millions of drivers at once. That's why this kind of discount tends to get attention.
Why these dates matter
Picking 14 and 15 February isn't random. The dates were selected to help manage congestion while also allowing toll operators to coordinate the extra operational load that comes with a festive travel surge.
That usually means things like:
• preparing rest stops and lay-bys for heavier traffic
• coordinating support and logistics at R&R areas
So even though the discount is about money, the timing is also about controlling chaos on the highway.
Who gets the discount and where it applies
For this round, the discount largely follows the same pattern as previous festive discounts:
• Class 2 vehicles are also included at the Penang Bridge
So for most drivers, it's simple: if you're driving a normal private car on those two days, you should benefit.
The key exclusions you need to know
Just as important as what's included is what isn't. The 50% discount does not apply at Malaysia's border toll locations, specifically:
• Tanjung Kupang Toll Plaza on the Malaysia–Singapore Second Link (LINKEDUA)
So if your CNY plan involves crossing into or out of Singapore, don't assume the border toll portion will be cut in half.
What this means for your CNY trip
Practically, this discount encourages people to travel during that weekend window, which can be helpful if you were already planning to move then. But it also means you should expect heavier-than-usual traffic, because discounts tend to pull more drivers onto the road at the same time.
A sensible approach is to treat the discount as a bonus, not a reason to rush. Plan your timing, expect packed R&Rs, and keep some buffer in your schedule — especially if you're trying to reach your destination before family dinner plans begin.
Final thoughts
A 50% toll discount won't magically erase holiday traffic, but it does take some sting out of long-distance travel, and for many families, that small saving still feels meaningful when every festive expense adds up.
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