KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 (Bernama) — The MADANI Government will seek an audience with the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, to provide further clarification on the LRT3 Shah Alam Line, following the Ruler’s remarks on the project’s cost and delays yesterday.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the move was prompted by the ruler’s concerns over the project’s implementation.
“We accept His Royal Highness’ remarks, and I will seek an audience with the Sultan of Selangor to provide further clarification,” he said when met by reporters during a charity dinner held at a restaurant here tonight.
Also present were Pakatan Harapan (PH) Communications Director and Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, PH’s Johor State Election director Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and several PH candidates contesting in the Muar area.
Yesterday, Sultan Sharafuddin said that following the change in the Federal Government administration in 2018, the LRT3 project was suspended for more than 18 months before facing a further 19-month delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic until 2021.
His Royal Highness said that during the period, the proposed size of each station was reduced, the number of train carriages cut, while five proposed stations along the alignment were cancelled.
The Sultan stressed that the LRT3 project was not a mega project undertaken for prestige, but rather an important initiative for the benefit and well-being of the people.
In another development, Loke said the Ministry of Transport had taken the initiative to increase the frequency of public transport services to facilitate outstation voters returning home to fulfil their civic responsibility in the 16th Johor State Election on July 11.
He said Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) had agreed to increase the frequency of its Electric Train Service (ETS) between Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru.
“KTMB has already added more ETS trips between Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru. This will also benefit those returning from Singapore, as they can take the ETS to Segamat, Labis and other areas.
“Likewise, voters from the northern region can use the ETS to return to Johor. We have increased the number of public transport services and hope this will encourage more voters to return home to cast their ballots,” he said.
The 16th Johor State Election will see 172 candidates contesting 56 state seats, with polling set for July 11 and early voting on July 7.
— BERNAMA