MALAYSIAN PM NAJIB: MY RAPID TRANSIT IMPLEMENTED AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION

KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister of Malaysia Najib Tun Razak
defended the My Rapid Transit (MRT) project Friday, dismissing claims by certain
quarters that the project was being implemented in a haphazard manner.

He said the project had gone through detailed scrutiny, with the first study
carried out in 1998 and continued through 2006 to 2010.

"The project is not new although it is only being brought to public
attention lately for their views and feedback," he said in his speech prior to
launching the project officially at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, here Friday.

The MRT is the largest civil infrastructure project undertaken by the
government as part of its Economic Transformation Programme. It is set to
provide long term benefits to the nation's economy and public in general.

The official launching, and the announcement of the final alignment, will
see the commencement of land clearing works for the Sungai Buloh-Kajang Line,
the first MRT line earmarked under the Greater Kuala Lumpur initiative, which is
expected to be completed by 2016.

The Sungai Buloh-Kajang Line will cover a distance of 51km, in which 9.5km
is underground.

A total of 31 stations are planned along the route to serve a total
population of 1.2 million.

Preliminary work on the MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang line begins with land
clearing work at three sites -- Sungai Buloh, Semantan dan Cochrane -- while
actual civil works will commence from November this year.

Najib said the project's launch Friday marked another milestone in the
government's "People First" initiative, envisaging the project to become the
backbone of the nation's public transportation system and propel the country to
become a developed nation.

The prime minister said the Sungai Buloh-Kajang Line was chosen for the
first
phase of the project because it received the most number of development
proposals and covers an area not currently served by rail network despite having
a population of 1.2 million.

"The people in this area want an efficient and modern public transportation
system to enhance accessibility and mobility in the area," he said.

The government, he said, through the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD)
would ensure that the route would be integrated with existing KTM Commuter and
Light Rail Transit networks as well as bus networks, apart from introducing an
integrated ticketing system.

"God willing, upon the completion of this system integration, Malaysians,
especially those in the national capital, would enjoy a much better
transportation system and pave the way for a transformation in their lifestyle,"
he said.

Najib also witnessed the signing of an integrity pact between the SPAD and
the MRT project partner, MMC-Gamuda, in which they spelled out commitment in
implementing the project.

-- BERNAMA