The groom’s best man will either offer them confectionery or pay the toll in cash.

(Source: Borakdaily)

According to Husna Azia Farhah Riduan, 31, the toll tradition started with the Bugis as a sign of migration and prosperity, but whether or not the toll was created was up to the woman's family.

“There are other sorts of tolls imposed, such as the Tol Masuk Kawasan Rumah (this toll must be paid by the groom as soon as he arrives at the bride's house), Tol Hadang (tolls erected by the bride's family for the groom to see his future wife)

“Tol Pintu (where the bride’s aunts and sisters will be standing by the stairs) and Tol Pelamin (the groom pays a toll to open the hand fan for his bride) but in most ceremonies, not all the tolls listed are placed on the groom.

"The Tol Hadang would be taken over by the public, the bride's family, or anyone else as well as no money limit. In contrast, Tol Pelamin will be taken over by the Mak Andam (the person who dresses up the bride),” said Husna during an interview with Berita DIMENSi via WhatsApp.

Nur Hasunah Fadhilah Azman, 21, stated that the groom and his partner would negotiate the number of tolls that need to be supplied, and other details the day before the wedding before taking the toll.

The main reason they should discuss first is to help ensure they never go above budget, especially since the Tol Pelamin, represented by the Mak Andam, would ask for the price toll even more than she wants.

After all, the on-the-spot toll payment, along with the hordes of the bride's family members encircling him, would most likely give the groom a pounding feeling.

“This toll is solely practiced by Malays in Johor when their daughter becomes a bride of the day," said Hasunah.

The Mak Andam mediate for a toll session to open the hand fan.

(Source: Geng Ibu Tabah Johor)

This tradition and culture must be preserved as a symbol of Johor state, which is distinguished for its distinctive identity, which is mostly drawn from Javanese and Bugis, and which identifies the people and society in our country.

Husna had the chance to express her sentiments on this tradition, which she believes should be retained and continued in every Johor marriage as a symbol of strength and integrity.

“The toll tradition is still significant since it is one of the ancestors' inheritance practices that should be perpetuated because it may assist improve the bond," Hasunah added.

Any tradition that is followed, however, should be in line with the actual circumstances and should not deviate from religious teachings because it is the main foundation and should be abandoned if it begins to contradict Islamic teachings.

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