Anwar tests revamped KLIA Aerotrain, praises performance
Anwar arrived at the terminal at 1pm, accompanied by Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani and senior MAHB officials.
The Prime Minister tested the enhanced Aerotrain service firsthand, travelling from the Contact Pier to the Satellite Building, where he received a briefing on the system's upgrades under MAHB's Airport Regeneration Plan.
The driverless train service resumed full operations this morning following a RM456mil upgrade under MAHB's RM742mil transformation initiative aimed at future-proofing KLIA as a premier regional aviation hub.
An iconic feature of KLIA since its opening in 1998, the Aerotrain now features Alstom Innovia APM 300R trainsets. Each three-car unit can accommodate up to 270 passengers and travel at speeds of up to 56km per hour, reducing travel time between the main terminal and the satellite terminal to under three minutes.
With advanced condition monitoring systems, the new trains are designed to minimise service disruptions, enhance operational efficiency and improve passenger comfort.
According to Mohd Izani, the upgraded system underwent six months of rigorous testing and commissioning by the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) from January to June this year, including extensive technical and safety assessments.
KLIA Terminal 1 currently records over 100,000 passenger movements daily. The Aerotrain remains a vital link, especially for international transit passengers connecting through the satellite terminal, which hosts most of the airport's long-haul carriers.
With operations now fully restored, MAHB said the upgraded Aerotrain system will boost KLIA's readiness for growing passenger traffic ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and support its full recovery to pre-pandemic levels. – Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
KLIA's aerotrain in full flight now
After two years, travellers laud smoother and faster way of getting around SEPANG: After a more than two-year wait, travellers at Kuala Lumpur International Airport can breathe a sigh of relief as the aerotrain service resumed yesterday. Capable of ferrying a total of 270 passengers in one ride, the aerotrain shortens travel time between the main terminal and satellite building to about three minutes. Fishmonger Chia Kim Yee, 26, said the aerotrain was much more comfortable compared to using the shuttle bus service. 'The bus service was quite complicated. Other countries also have systems similar to the aerotrain. 'Now that it is back in service, it is much easier to move around the airport,' said Chia, who just arrived from Taiwan. Project engineer Ng Yong Loon, 25, also lauded the return of the aerotrain service. 'Taking the bus wasn't the best experience, and it could get rather hot. It is my first time taking the aerotrain and we hope this service can continue, as it makes it extremely convenient,' said Ng, who had travelled back from Vietnam. Oil and gas surveyor Amirudin Bahari, 40, said using the train was much more efficient. 'Now, we don't have to walk that much. It is only a three-minute ride and as a frequent traveller, it makes the journey more comfortable. 'Hopefully, the train can continue serving its purpose well, with no breakdowns,' he added. An Indian national, who wanted to be known only as Priya, said the aerotrain's return added a sense of efficiency to her travel. 'We are always pressed for time and the aerotrain makes a big difference. It is also much more organised,' said the business traveller. Private sector worker Nazihah Abdullah, 35, said she was excited to see the aerotrain back in service after such a long hiatus. 'We were quite eager to ride it. The train is much better compared to the bus, where there is a longer waiting time. 'The current train also seems more spacious and has a display, compared to the previous aerotrain operations,' said Nazihah. The aerotrain, which came under public scrutiny for its frequent breakdowns, had its service suspended in March 2023. During the aerotrain's hiatus, shuttle bus services were deployed as a stop-gap measure. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was also among those who rode the train yesterday, during a walkabout at KLIA Terminal 1. 'Good and very fast, maybe faster than before,' he said briefly when met while making his way to the Bunga Raya complex. Anwar arrived at about 1pm with an entourage including Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Transport Minister Anthony Loke. Anwar is set to make his inaugural official visit to Italy as Prime Minister. Rome is the first stop of the Prime Minister's week of working visits, which also includes Paris and Rio de Janeiro.
The Sun
13 hours ago
- The Sun
Malaysia's cybersecurity on right track, keeping up with digital economy growth
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is on the right track in cybersecurity as the government is introducing new policies and frameworks, said Zoho Corporation's ManageEngine regional director, Asia Pacific, Arun Kumar. Arun said Malaysia's cybersecurity is keeping pace with the rapid growth of its digital economy. 'There is a cybersecurity law in Malaysia about securing critical infrastructure, such as banks and government institutions. There is also the Personal Data Protection Act when it comes to handling data,' he said during a media roundtable today. Arun said these policies and frameworks are important first steps when moving towards a more secure cyber environment. However, Arun stressed that cybersecurity is not only a government responsibility and that the private sector and individual citizens also have a crucial role to play. 'More awareness, more investments (needed from the private sector and citizens),' he said. Arun reiterated that companies, regardless of size, should view government regulations, laws, and compliance requirements only as a starting point. 'Companies still need to invest in upskilling, adopt the right tools, and prioritise a 'cybersecurity-first' approach to stay protected.' Furthermore, Arun said, there are no unique cybersecurity challenges in Malaysia compared to other Asean countries. 'I see somewhat similar trends, challenges when it comes to cyber security or cyber preparedness.' The main issues across the region are the lack of skilled workforce to support digital transformation and cybersecurity needs. 'Most of the markets face challenges today when it comes to right skills in terms of workforce. Skilled workforce is one of the important steps every company, including SMEs, must take to build a safer nation,' Arun said. He noted there is a lot of momentum and strong growth expected from the digital transformation roadmap and the expanding digital economy. 'However, if these priorities are neglected, organisations will remain vulnerable to cyberattacks, and such threats are likely to increase over time.' Arun concluded the country will be well prepared to maintain a safe digital environ-ment if these steps are properly implemented. Malaysia has seen cyberattacks targeting financial institutions and government portals, including ransomware and phishing attacks aimed at stealing sensitive data. For example, in a high‑profile incident in March, computer systems at Kuala Lumpur International Airport were hit by an attack. The National Cyber Security Agency and Malaysia Airports Holdings said the hackers demanded a US$10 million (RM42 million) ransom, which Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim rejected. Malaysia also recorded a staggering 4,017,161 internet-borne cyberthreats in the first quarter of 2025, according to data from Kaspersky. This translates to more than 44,000 daily attacks, reflecting a rising trend in cybercrime coinciding with the disbursement of the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah government financial aid during the March–April period. A significant proportion of these cyberthreats stems from phishing scams distributed through popular messaging platforms.
The Sun
14 hours ago
- The Sun
Gig workers bill to be tabled in parliament by September, says Ahmad Zahid
BANGI: The Gig Workers Bill, a pioneering legislation designed to safeguard gig economy workers in Malaysia, is expected to be tabled in Parliament by August or September, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced today. Speaking after the Sharing Economy and Gig Industry Roundtable Session, Ahmad Zahid highlighted that the bill would be the first of its kind globally, offering dedicated protections for over 1.12 million Malaysians engaged in the sector. 'Several countries have amended existing laws to include gig workers, but Malaysia is introducing a new act specifically for this industry,' he said. The bill aligns with efforts to build a fair, inclusive, and resilient future economy. Ahmad Zahid noted that the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has shown interest in learning from Malaysia's approach in drafting the legislation. This was conveyed by Malaysian Gig Community Secretariat chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin, who is currently in Geneva to discuss the bill with the ILO. Additionally, the soon-to-be-established Malaysian Gig Economy Commission (SEGiM) will play a crucial role in the national gig economy ecosystem. The commission, under the Prime Minister's Department, will oversee implementation, coordination, and compliance within the sector. 'SEGiM will strengthen self-regulation among platform providers while ensuring transparent policy enforcement,' Ahmad Zahid said. The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation will continue as the technical secretariat, consolidating industry feedback and coordinating with the Human Resource Ministry. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had earlier assured that all welfare concerns for gig workers would be addressed through the bill. Also present at the session were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said and Deputy Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad.
