Government To Seek Audience With Selangor Sultan To Clarify LRT3 Issues
MUAR: The MADANI Government will seek an audience with the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, to provide explanations regarding the cost issues and delays of the Shah Alam Light Rail Transit 3 (LRT3) project following His Royal Highness’s rebuke.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said his ministry takes the rebuke seriously and is prepared to provide further clarification to His Royal Highness regarding the current development of the project.
“His Royal Highness’s rebuke we accept, and I will try to request an audience with the Sultan of Selangor to provide an explanation,” he told reporters at a charity dinner event at a restaurant here tonight.
Also present were Pakatan Harapan (PH) Communications Director and Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil; PH Johor State Election Machinery Director Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari; as well as several PH candidates contesting around Muar.
Yesterday, Sultan Sharafuddin decreed that the LRT3 project experienced delays of more than 18 months following the change of Federal Government administration in 2018, before being postponed again for 19 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic until 2021.
His Royal Highness also expressed concern that during that period, the proposed size of each station was reduced, the number of train coaches was decreased, and five station locations along the route were cancelled.
According to His Royal Highness, the LRT3 project is not a mega project for showing off, but rather an important necessity for the interest and well-being of the people.
In another development, Loke said the Ministry of Transport is also increasing the frequency of public transport services to facilitate out-of-state voters returning to vote in the 16th Johor State Election on 11 July.
He said Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) has increased the frequency of Electric Train Service (ETS) trips for the Kuala Lumpur-Johor Bahru route.
“This includes facilitating people returning from Singapore using the ETS to Segamat, Labis, and surrounding areas.
“Voters from the north can also use the ETS to return to Johor. We hope that this increase in public transport will encourage more voters to return and fulfil their responsibility,” he said.
The Johor State Election sees 172 candidates contesting for 56 State Legislative Assembly seats, with polling day set on 11 July, while early voting takes place on 7 July.
For the latest news on the 16th Johor State Election, visit https://prn.bernama.com/johor.
Bernama