LRT3 project costs RM9.72bil less than initial price tag, says Loke
The Transport Minister told the Dewan Rakyat that the total cost of the LRT3 project now stands at RM21.93bil, which is still RM9.72bil less than the original approved cost of RM31.65bil when the project was first introduced in 2015.
The savings came following a restructuring initiative in 2018, which initially slashed the cost down to RM16.63bil.
However, in 2024, the government decided to reinstate several aspects, including five additional stations, seven three-carriage trains, an expanded train depot in Johan Setia, 150 electric shuttle buses, and the construction of three bus depots.
'These reinstatements added RM5.3bil to the total cost, bringing it to RM21.93bil, still well under the original cost,' Loke said in a parliamentary written reply on Wednesday (July 30).
He added that as of July 10, the LRT3 line which connects Bandar Utama in Petaling Jaya to Johan Setia in Klang had reached 99.21% completion.
He said the project had faced delays largely due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which disrupted works between March 2020 and October 2021.
'The movement control order (MCO) caused shortages in skilled and semi-skilled labour. Foreign worker entry permits were only resumed in November 2023,' said Loke.
He added that the MCO also triggered supply chain disruptions and building material shortages, particularly in steel and cement.
Loke was responding to a question by Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan (PN–Permatang Pauh), who had asked about the reasons for the delay and the project's increased cost.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
12 hours ago
- The Star
Diesel smuggling cases decline significantly in Malaysia, Dewan Rakyat hears
PETALING JAYA: Diesel smuggling activities have significantly declined, with only 261 cases recorded as of July 8 this year, according to the Dewan Rakyat. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Ali reported that these 261 cases involved seizures amounting to RM5.24mil. In contrast, last year recorded 655 cases with RM17.14mil in seizures, and 2023 saw 992 cases with seizures totalling RM18.04mil. "The targeted subsidy mechanism implemented by the government has effectively addressed diesel smuggling, as evidenced by the reduction in cases," Armizan stated in a parliamentary written reply dated July 31. Armizan was responding to Datuk Rosol Wahid (PN-Terengganu), who inquired about diesel smuggling cases in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and whether the diesel subsidy mechanism had successfully addressed the issue. Armizan highlighted that his ministry, alongside other border enforcement agencies such as the police, the Customs Department, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), and the Road Transport Department (JPJ), is conducting joint enforcement efforts to tackle smuggled diesel. Previously, it was reported that the sale of smuggled subsidised petrol and diesel from Malaysia is rampant along southern Thailand due to significant price disparities between the two countries. Armizan noted that the targeted diesel subsidy implementation in Peninsular Malaysia, which began in June last year, has shown a reduction in diesel smuggling cases. Under this scheme, diesel prices were floated and retailed in the peninsula starting last year. Subsidies continue for traders using diesel-powered commercial vehicles and public transportation. Eligible groups such as farmers, smallholders, and private diesel vehicle owners can apply for a RM200 monthly cash subsidy under the Budi Madani initiative.
The Star
21 hours ago
- The Star
Segamat-JB ETS not going to be ready anytime soon
PETALING JAYA: Those hoping to ride KTM Bhd's (KTMB) Electric Train Service (ETS) to Johor Baru will have to wait until the end of the year, if not next year, for their hopes to become a reality. An inspection by The Star along 180km alignment from Segamat to JB Sentral recently found that it is impossible for ETS services to reach the southern city anytime this quarter as significant electrification and signalling works remain incomplete, especially along the 100km stretch between Kluang and JB Sentral. At the section near Johor Baru, the catenary system is still incomplete, with contact wires and other critical components of the overhead line equipment (OHLE) yet to be installed. OHLE is the system of overhead wires and supporting structures that supply electricity to power electric trains, and it is a critical part of railway electrification. Incomplete: A lot of work still needs to be done to KTMB's rail electrification and signalling infrastructure in the second half of the Gemas-JB double tracking project. At JB Sentral (pic), only a rudimentary pole structure is seen on July 28. — MENG YEW CHOONG/The Star The 192km stretch from Gemas to Johor Baru has been touted by some to be ready for service by August, with Transport Minister Anthony Loke saying so earlier in the year. However, there has been no update since the short stretch between Gemas and Segamat began ETS operations on March 15. When KTMB opened advance ticket sales on June 30 for travel up to Dec 31, no southbound ETS tickets were offered beyond Segamat. Last Wednesday, KTMB announced the suspension of its advance ticket sales beyond December, apologising that it will not be offering January 2026 tickets anytime soon. It typically opens ticket sales up to six months in advance. According to train systems specialist Yuslizar Daud, the process of fully installing and testing an overhead electrical system can be lengthy. 'Stringing of the OHLE, tensioning, adjustment with the tracks, energisation, testing and commissioning will take considerable time. Then there is the final inspection by the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) before the green light is given. 'I don't see (from the picture) how it can be ready even by September,' said Yuslizar, the former head of the now-defunct Land Public Transport Commission's Rail Division. However, it is understood that KTMB is attempting to accelerate the opening of the 90km stretch from Segamat to Kluang, so that ETS services can be extended to Kluang by this quarter, though it seems that KTMB has yet to submit the relevant application to Apad. Also happening at the same time is the testing of new ETS train sets, which recently arrived from China, in line with the statutory requirement for the first unit – known as the golden train – to log at least 8,000km without demonstrating any fault in what is known as the fault-free run (FFR). FFR is a standard requirement to ensure the integrity of the entire system before it could be deployed for commercial operations, and all new train sets are required to undergo the procedure, though similar sets may pass with a lower testing mileage provided the golden train clocks 8,000km or more flawlessly. It is assumed that KTMB will attempt to operate ETS services to Kluang using its older ETS trains, if Apad gives the green light for the stretch to open for service. Queries sent to KTMB and the Transport Ministry did not yield any insight, with the respective agencies asking The Star to contact the 'other side' instead.
The Star
21 hours ago
- The Star
Malaysians want a say in how they receive payouts
PETALING JAYA: Should Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) members receive their retirement savings in monthly payments or a lump sum? For many Malaysians approaching the retirement age, they want to have a choice. Process senior engineer Adam Abu Bakar, 50, said having several options would allow eligible members to make a decision on how they want their savings to be disbursed. 'It shouldn't be limited to either monthly payments or a lump sum amount. Personally, I am fine with either but there must be clarity on how the monthly payouts are calculated,' he said. He also urged for EPF to have financial advisors readily available to help people manage their retirement funds. 'When a large sum of money suddenly presents itself, people may not know how to save or grow it,' he said. The 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), which was tabled in the Dewan Rakyat last Thursday, stated that the government was considering introducing a monthly pension payout under EPF. In response, EPF said any decision on this matter would go thorough engagement with key stakeholders and careful consideration of members' long-term interests. Events supervisor Karina Cheng, 54, favoured lump sum payments, saying it can help during emergencies. 'We've worked hard for the money and these are our savings. 'It helps to have cash on hand, as any emergencies beyond our working years can be difficult to manage financially,' she said. Accountant K. Shanmugam, 56, said he preferred the current system over a pension scheme. 'I have my Akaun Emas which I got at 55. I hope they will not force me to resort to a monthly pension scheme. It will not be sustainable for me as I will need my savings for expenses such as my children's wedding and so on,' he said. 'If I am able to fully withdraw my savings, then I can plan my finances better. Also, considering a person's age, there may be health emergencies as well that may require huge amounts of funds.' As such, he said he wanted the government to maintain the current system. Akaun Emas refers to an EPF account for members who reach the age of 55. Any contribution from members aged 55 will be credited into this account and can only be withdrawn once the member turns 60. A senior bank executive who wanted to be known only as Henry, 56, said the current mechanism allowed him to financially support his child's tertiary education expenses. 'Without the lump sum option, it can be very challenging to manage these expenses out of pocket,' he said. 'However, I do understand why the monthly payouts can help, as some people may splurge or even worse, get cheated of their savings.'
