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Focus Malaysia
4 days ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Shouldn't Anthony Loke resign over non-delivery, repeated failures of Malaysia's public transport systems?
IN A familiar tirade, a government minister is taken to the cleaners for perceived failure to dispense duties. The civil servant in question is Anthony Loke Siew Fook whose Transport Ministry has come under the spotlight for numerous issues that range from tragic (separate) accidents that claimed lives of tertiary institution students and FRU personnel to breakdown of public transport. Squeeze in the death of a baby elephant into the mix, one could claim that Seremban MP and DAP secretary-general is definitely feeling the heat. Or isn't he? It was observed on X by urban transportation enthusiast Amirual Ruslan (@amirulruslan) that the country suffers from repeated and predictable pattern of over-promising, under-delivering and much to his chagrin, washing of hands whenever issues arise. Malaysia suffers such an annoying, predictable pattern of overpromising, underdelivering, and then lazily shrugging when maintenance issues immediately pop up. At what point did these projects overrun in time and why were these delays not expressed? — Amirul Ruslan (@amirulruslan) August 5, 2025 He very pointedly demanded to know why when projects overrun – in both deadline and budget – they are not expressly highlighted by those supposedly in charge. The angry post was in response to a similar post by Aduan Rakyat (@RakyatAduan) which highlighted that the LRT3 (Light Rail Transit 3) a.k.a. Shah Alam Line project slated for Sept 30 could miss its deadline. This is in addition to the delay in the KTM Electric Train Service from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Baru. Moreover, there is also the repeated failures of the recently re-opened aerotrain service at Terminal One of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). This sense of frustration was echoed in the comments with various observers expressing similar sentiments. The wastage – and pocketing – of public funds is the main problem here. The 'over-promise, under-deliver and poor maintenance' excuse was just a smokescreen claimed one commenter. It was argued that this is the consequence of blindly placing deadlines without taking into account the actual needs of the work. In Aduan Rakyat's post, it was also highlighted the RapidKL open payment system was to be delayed till 2028. The poster demanded an explanation from the Transport Minister. One commenter wondered whether the minister's wages could be similarly delayed with such non-performance. He further hoped that one day the country will rid itself of a 'better late than never' culture. The long list of perceived failures of the Transport Ministry under Loke has seen many calls for his resignation despite he being dubbed one of the most performing ministers during the short-lived Pakatan Harapan (PH) 1.0 era. Stepping aside would not only herald an almost unprecedented move by incumbent minister but could actually help the Madani administration win back some of the trust deficit it is currently experiencing. But then again, this is Malaysia and that would be wishful thinking. – Aug 7, 2025 Main image credit: Anthony Loke Siew Fook/Facebook
The Star
03-08-2025
- Business
- The Star
Setback for Klang commuters
A longer wait to board: The Shah Alam Line train leaving the Pasar Jawa station in Klang. Train testing and commissioning is underway. — KK SHAM/The Star PETALING JAYA: Prasarana Malaysia's Shah Alam Line (formerly known as LRT3) that connects Bandar Utama in Petaling Jaya with Klang is set to miss its widely expected Sept 30 opening date. Just last week, it posted a Facebook update announcing that the LRT sets will have to undergo '24-hour train testing and commissioning' until Oct 30. This means that the entire checklist of electrification, signalling and communications infrastructure has yet to pass regulatory muster, even if all of the physical infrastructure such as stations and track work are completed. On July 30, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said in Parliament that the Shah Alam Line is 99% complete, but did not indicate the date of passenger service commencement. When contacted, a Prasarana official declined to provide any specific date, beyond saying 'the project team is still conducting some key tests before they can conclude'. The Shah Alam LRT is a project built, owned and operated by Prasarana. It is an eagerly awaited service as it provides a critical alternative for Klang residents who have to endure service disruptions of the KTM Komuter due to the ongoing Phase II of the Klang Valley Double Track Rehabilitation project. This disruption is set to last for years, with no clear end date. According to rail professionals, rail testing and commissioning is the most challenging phase of a railway project due to the complexity of integrating various systems as this is a high-stakes area that will impact safety and reliability, more so with the complexities of modern rail systems. 'This phase requires meticulous planning, precise execution and thorough documentation to ensure all systems function together as intended. 'It is a process that cannot be rushed through,' said Yuslizar Daud, a railway systems specialist who once headed the Land Public Transport Commission's Rail Division. The seemingly rushed opening of KL International Airport's aerotrain on July 1 is a lesson for all, particularly after electrical problems on July 12 halted a train set just before it reached the satellite terminal building. Passengers had to disembark and walk the rest of the way. To date, contractors are still conducting tests and rectification of the system. Yesterday afternoon, only one aerotrain was available for service, leading to congestion at the airport. As for the KTM Bhd's electric train service to Johor Baru, Sunday Star reported yesterday that the service will not be able to reach Johor Baru this quarter. Questions linger on whether it will be able to meet its target by end of the year. In response, KTMB said the government is committed to the project's full completion in 'a phased approach', though the statement stayed clear of committing to any particular timeline or date.
Daily Express
01-08-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Study on TransBorneo Railway among plans
Published on: Friday, August 01, 2025 Published on: Fri, Aug 01, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: TODs to be implemented include the Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) Mutiara Line and the East Coast Rail Line (ECRL), while completion of the 37-kilometre (km) LRT 3 project, ECRL and Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, both expected to begin operation during the 13MP, will boost integration and expand public transport coverage. Kuala Lumpur: THE Government has outlined four main strategies to boost infrastructure efficiency and encourage transition to public transport throughout the duration of the 13MP. The four strategies, contained in the 13MP document issued by the Economic Affairs Ministry, encompass the financial aspect of operators, transit-oriented development (TOD), infrastructure investment and restructuring rail administration and operations. The Government aims to identify a review mechanism to determine suitable public transport rates, based on the results of the Klang Valley Public Transport Strategic Plan to achieve 40 per cent modal share by 2030 from the current 25.9 per cent, and to reduce operation costs, especially for rail transport, by introducing special tariffs for the public transport sector. Such a move would also speed up TOD implementation through strategic partnerships between operators and the private sector in locations with potential such as Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor, Penang and Negeri Sembilan. TODs to be implemented include the Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) Mutiara Line and the East Coast Rail Line (ECRL), while completion of the 37-kilometre (km) LRT 3 project, ECRL and Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, both expected to begin operation during the 13MP, will boost integration and expand public transport coverage. Emphasis will also be placed on boosting first-mile, last-mile interconnectivity and more frequent and consistent bus service in major cities, especially during peak hours, as well as increasing pedestrian-friendly facilities at stations and parking areas. Also, rail capacity use will be optimised by adding the number of passenger trains through leases to ensure smooth mobility for the public, while a feasibility study for the Transborneo Railways project in Sabah and Sarawak is being conducted and will form the basis of the development of the first rail system in East Malaysia. The Government will also restructure rail transport sector governance by separating the functions of asset ownership and operations between related agencies such as Rail Assets Corporation (RAC) and Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB). The use of tracks through a mechanism of various rail operators and imposing charges will be explored to offer more services to passengers and encourage more goods transport via rail. The document also highlighted achievements during the 12th Malaysia Plan, with public transport passengers in the Klang Valley growing at an annual growth rate of 18.6 per cent from 2021 to 2024, the sale of 2.7 million MY50 travel passes and the expansion of the Demand-Responsive Transit (DRT) to over 33 zones around Klang Valley with 300 vans in 2025. Also in the same period, bus frequency went up by 35 per cent and the Mass Rapid Transit began its operations. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Sun
31-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
13MP outlines four strategies to boost public transport efficiency in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has unveiled four core strategies under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) to enhance public transport efficiency and infrastructure. These measures aim to increase ridership, reduce operational costs, and improve connectivity nationwide. The strategies focus on financial mechanisms for operators, transit-oriented development (TOD), infrastructure investment, and restructuring rail administration. A key target is raising the public transport modal share to 40% by 2030, up from the current 25.9%. 'Special tariffs for the public transport sector will help lower operational costs, particularly for rail services,' stated the 13MP document released by the Economic Affairs Ministry. The plan also prioritizes TOD projects in high-potential areas like Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor, Penang, and Negeri Sembilan. Major infrastructure projects include the Penang LRT Mutiara Line, East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), and the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS Link). The 37km LRT 3 project is set for completion during the 13MP period, further expanding transport coverage. Efforts will also improve first-mile, last-mile connectivity with more frequent bus services and pedestrian-friendly facilities. Rail capacity will be optimized through additional leased passenger trains, while feasibility studies for the Transborneo Railways in Sabah and Sarawak are underway. Rail governance reforms include separating asset ownership and operations between Rail Assets Corporation (RAC) and Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB). The government will explore track-sharing mechanisms to boost passenger and freight services. The document highlighted progress under the 12MP, including an 18.6% annual growth in Klang Valley public transport ridership (2021-2024) and the sale of 2.7 million MY50 travel passes. Demand-Responsive Transit (DRT) expanded to 33 zones with 300 vans, while bus frequency rose by 35%. - Bernama
The Star
31-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Billions saved as LRT3 nears completion
NEARLY RM10bil has been saved on the LRT3 project despite the reinstatement of several components from its original scope. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the total cost of the LRT3 project now stands at RM21.93bil, still RM9.72bil less than the originally approved cost of RM31.65bil when the project was first introduced in 2015. The savings were achieved following a restructuring exercise in 2018, which initially reduced the cost to RM16.63bil. However, in 2024, the government decided to reinstate several components, 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,' Loke said in a written reply yesterday. He added that as of July 10, the LRT3 line connecting Bandar Utama in Petaling Jaya to Johan Setia in Klang had reached 99.21% completion. The project faced delays largely due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which disrupted works between March 2020 and October 2021. 'The MCO caused shortages of skilled and semi-skilled labour. Foreign worker entry permits were only resumed in November 2023,' Loke said. He also noted that the MCO triggered supply chain disruptions and shortages in building materials, particularly 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 increase in project cost.
