No plans to extend ETS to east coast, says Loke
The existing railway lines in the region are single-track and lack electrification, making them unsuitable for ETS operations.
Loke explained that the east coast is currently served by Diesel Multiple Units (DMU) under Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB).
'The east coast is currently served only by Diesel Multiple Units because KTMB tracks there are single-track and not electrified...but, the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project will serve that region.'
The minister made these remarks during a press conference following the launch of new diesel buses.
The event was attended by Land Public Transport Agency director-general Datuk Azlan Shah Al Bakri, Prasarana Group president and chief executive officer Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah, and Rapid Bus chairman Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali.
Loke emphasised that ETS services will remain concentrated on the west coast, operating between Padang Besar in Perlis and Johor Bahru, Johor.
He also acknowledged the need for improvements in KTMB's commuter, ETS, and freight services, which have yet to achieve full profitability.
However, he noted that as a government-linked company (GLC), KTMB's primary focus is on social responsibility rather than profit. - Bernama
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
10 hours ago
- The Sun
First ECRL electric trains and locomotives to arrive by end-2025
DUNGUN: The first two Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trains and two electric locomotives (E-Loco) for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project are set to arrive by the end of this year. Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) confirmed the delivery, which will support commissioning tests ahead of passenger and freight operations starting in June 2026. MRL chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak stated that an additional nine EMU sets and 18 locomotives will be delivered between April and May 2025. 'In total, there will be 11 EMU trains for passenger services and 20 locomotives for freight operations,' he said during the launch of the 2025 POLYCC TVET Mega Fiesta at Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Polytechnic (PSMZA). Darwis also announced that MRL will send 109 students from higher learning institutions to China for the ECRL Industrial Skills Training Programme (PLKI-ECRL) between August and October this year. Trainees are guaranteed jobs with the ECRL project, offering a starting salary of RM3,000. 'In May, we sent 101 students from polytechnics and MARA institutions for the same programme. PSMZA alone had around 60 students selected,' he added. The collaboration between TVET institutions and industry partners is vital in developing a skilled workforce ready for global challenges. – Bernama
BusinessToday
13 hours ago
- BusinessToday
MOT Appoints Four Firms Including Carsome To Expand Vehicle Ownership Inspection Services
The Transport Ministry (MOT) has appointed four companies to provide Change of Ownership Inspection services for private vehicles, a move aimed at easing congestion and improving access to motor vehicle inspection centres. Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the initiative is part of the government's effort to liberalise the Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre segment, which was previously monopolised by Puspakom. 'This will offer the public more convenient options for ownership transfer inspections without crowding existing centres that also handle heavy vehicles,' Loke said. The newly appointed firms, Carro Technology Sdn Bhd, Carsome Academy Sdn Bhd, Wawasan Bintang Sdn Bhd and Beriman Gold Sdn Bhd, have been granted 12 months to fulfil all regulatory and technical requirements before receiving their licenses to operate. The companies must meet stringent criteria, including a minimum RM1 million paid-up capital, local ownership, infrastructure readiness, integration with the MySIKAP system and ISO/IEC 17020:2012 compliance. All inspection personnel must also be accredited by the Road Transport Department. Loke emphasised that the shift from a single-player concession to a multi-license model will foster healthy competition, enhance service quality and support future policy expansions. Related
New Straits Times
16 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Malaysia set to draw minimum RM30bil investment from China: Juwai IQI
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is poised to attract another major investment of at least RM30 billion from China this year driven by investor confidence and improving economic relations between the two countries, according to new data from Juwai IQI. Juwai IQI co-founder and group chief executive officer Kashif Ansari said the surge in investment followed the official visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Malaysia in April. The visit saw important agreements signed in the semiconductor and aviation sectors. Kashif said the visit was seen as a pivotal moment that set the direction for increased foreign direct investment (FDI) activities throughout the year. "In 2024, China's total investment to Malaysia reach RM31 billion, more than double the amount recorded in 2023 and the highest since 2015. We expect another year of at least RM30 billion in Chinese investment in 2025. "This time, battery and solar component plants will most likely account for a larger share," he said in a statement. He said the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project was a prime example of long-term value creation with the project being managed by China Communications Construction. The latter employs more than 16,000 Malaysians directly including joint contractors, Bumiputera companies and carrying out 40 per cent of the public works. "Once it is complete, projections say it will boost Malaysia's gross domestic product by 3.8 per cent. "And while job numbers are difficult to predict, the GDP growth would likely generate more than 90,000 new jobs to the economy. For example, Malaysia's 5.1 per cent GDP growth in 2024 created about 127,000 new private sector jobs," he said. Kashif pointed out Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone as the big winner as the state attracts large-scale industrial and logistics projects. "The zone is a major point of interest for our corporate clients in China, especially manufacturers. We get the same questions from company after company that is considering moving to the area. "Chinese companies' top three questions about the special economic zone have to do with the headline tax incentives on offer, which flagship zone best matches their industry and the speed of cross-border cargo clearance." He added that the strong inflow of direct investment will have a significant impact on the real estate market, with high demand expected for industrial and logistics property. He said the new steel plant and battery facility are examples of projects that are driving surging demand for large-scale industrial land. "The fact that construction forms 52 per cent of total Chinese inbound capital flows suggests direct and robust investment into assets like factories, transport and logistics centres. "The property markets in the Johor special economic zone, Greater Kuala Lumpur and Selangor are all likely to benefit," he added.
