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Focus Malaysia
07-08-2025
- 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
Malay Mail
30-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Is LRT3 still on track for Sept 30 start? Loke says work is 99pc done
KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 — The Light Rail Transit 3 (LRT3) project linking Bandar Utama to Johan Setia was 99.21 per cent complete as of July 10, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook has confirmed. In a written parliamentary reply, Loke said the government is committed to ensuring the project is delivered safely and efficiently. The LRT3 was previously reported to begin operations on September 30. He was responding to Permatang Pauh MP Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan, who had asked the ministry to explain the cause of delays and the increase in project costs. Loke explained that the project faced delays primarily due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) from March 2020 to October 2021, which disrupted construction schedules and supply chains. This was compounded by subsequent labour shortages and limited availability of key construction materials. The project's original cost, approved in 2015, was RM31.65 billion. This was reduced to RM16.63 billion in 2018 following a cost-cutting restructuring exercise, saving the government RM15.02 billion. 'However, in 2024, the government decided to reinstate part of the project's original scope. 'This included five additional stations, seven extra three-car train sets, the expansion of the Johan Setia depot in Klang, the purchase of 150 electric feeder buses, and the construction of three bus depots,' he said. The reinstatement added RM5.3 billion to the cost, bringing the total to RM21.93 billion. LRT3 is expected to serve several high-density areas, including Bandar Utama, Shah Alam, and Klang, accommodating up to 18,630 commuters per hour in each direction. The new line is projected to benefit some two million residents along its alignment, particularly those travelling between Petaling Jaya and Klang, with the aim of alleviating traffic congestion and boosting economic growth around its stations.
Malay Mail
30-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Loke: LRT3 works 99pc done, on track for Sept 30 start
KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 — The Light Rail Transit 3 (LRT3) project linking Bandar Utama to Johan Setia was 99.21 per cent complete as of July 10, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook has confirmed. In a written parliamentary reply, Loke said the government is committed to ensuring the project is delivered safely and efficiently, with operations scheduled to begin on September 30. He was responding to Permatang Pauh MP Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan, who had asked the ministry to explain the cause of delays and the increase in project costs. Loke explained that the project faced delays primarily due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) from March 2020 to October 2021, which disrupted construction schedules and supply chains. This was compounded by subsequent labour shortages and limited availability of key construction materials. The project's original cost, approved in 2015, was RM31.65 billion. This was reduced to RM16.63 billion in 2018 following a cost-cutting restructuring exercise, saving the government RM15.02 billion. 'However, in 2024, the government decided to reinstate part of the project's original scope. 'This included five additional stations, seven extra three-car train sets, the expansion of the Johan Setia depot in Klang, the purchase of 150 electric feeder buses, and the construction of three bus depots,' he said. The reinstatement added RM5.3 billion to the cost, bringing the total to RM21.93 billion. LRT3 is expected to serve several high-density areas, including Bandar Utama, Shah Alam, and Klang, accommodating up to 18,630 commuters per hour in each direction. The new line is projected to benefit some two million residents along its alignment, particularly those travelling between Petaling Jaya and Klang, with the aim of alleviating traffic congestion and boosting economic growth around its stations.
New Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
MRCB bags RM2.94bil contract to build Shah Alam sports complex
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd (MRCB) has secured a contract to develop the Shah Alam Sports Complex (KSSA) worth RM2.94 billion. The letter of acceptance was issued by Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated (MBI) to Lembaran Prospek Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MRCB Land Sdn Bhd, which in turn is a subsidiary of MRCB. The handover ceremony was witnessed by Raja Muda of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and Selangor state secretary Datuk Dr Ahmad Fadzli Ahmad Tajuddin. In a statement, MRCB said the project includes the demolition works, which are presently nearing completion and spans a 48-month construction period, with completion targeted for 2029. "The KSSA development represents a bold transformation of Shah Alam into a vibrant, multi-functional urban precinct that reflects the shared vision of the state's leadership and MRCB's expertise in integrated urban developments," it said. The KSSA will feature multi-purpose destination for sports, culture and commerce, including a modern stadium with a retractable pitch, two training fields and upgraded infrastructure. Anchored by a 45,000-capacity stadium with a retractable pitch, the project will integrate community, commerce and infrastructure across a 310,000 square metres of green flora sanctuary. The development will also include a green recreational zone, lifestyle mall, youth entrepreneurship platforms and cultural spaces. There will also be a landscaped botanical garden, jogging and cycling paths and pedestrian-friendly walkways, along with flood mitigation features like retention ponds and wetlands and biodiversity zones. Public amenities will include open community spaces and a Bazarena. The site will benefit from seamless accessibility through its integration with the nearly completed Light Rail Transit 3 (LRT3) line, enhancing connectivity between Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. "With our proven track record in urban regeneration and sustainable infrastructure, we are committed to building more than a stadium, we are creating a living, breathing destination for the people of Selangor," MRCB chairman Datuk Mohamed Nasir Ab Latif said in the statement.
