GOVT SET TO IMPROVE URBAN TRANSPORTATION, SAYS PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- The government is set to further improve
urban transportation here to ensure that the benefits of a fully integrated
system will be enjoyed by all commuters, Prime Minister Najib Razak said
Tuesday.

The upgrade in public transportation would include the development of a new
mass transit line that would integrate with the existing Kuala Lumpur Sentral
hub, he said.

Najib said this at the launch of the Nu Sentral retail mall which is
expected to be completed by 2012, and is a part of an integrated development
project at Kuala Lumpur Sentral (KL Sentral).

Nu Sentral is in a unique position as it is right at the focal point of KL
city's centre of connectivity, linking it to the rest of Klang Valley via the
city light rail (LRT) system and the Komuter (commuter) system and
the country's largest international airport via the Express Rail Link (ERL).

Another unique accessibility feature of the Nu Sentral is its linkage to KL
Sentral via a fully air-conditioned bridge and another separate bridge to link
to-and-from the KL Sentral Monorail Station.

"With the completion of the new development, we will see seamless
connectivity between the KTM inter-city and commuter services, the monorail, the
ERL and the Kelana Jaya LRT through the station and the new integrated
development," Najib said.

Nu Sentral is a 1.2 million square feet development with a gross development
value (GDV) of RM1.4 billion, comprising a seven storey retail mall and
27-storey office tower.

It is part of an integrated development project within the KL Sentral
covering 2.6 million square ft which includes three office towers and a boutique
hotel, with total GDV amounting to RM2.14 billion.

Nu Sentral and the associated office tower development is a joint-investment
between Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd (MRCB) and Pelaburan Hartanah Bhd
(PHB), a subsidiary of Yayasan Amanah Hartanah Bumiputera.

Describing Nu Sentral as potentially being three times bigger than the Mid
Valley Megamall, Najib said the project would transform Brickfields, although
some aspects of the area like Little India would remain.

Najib also said that the government is committed to work in partnership with
the private sector to promote the real estate industry, in order to promote the
local economy.

He added that good infrastructure and connectivity were the basis for
economic growth in any developing country.

In February this year, the government approved a RM110 million package of
additional works to improve the road infrastructure around KL Sentral and
Brickfields, as part of the economic stimulus package.

"When MRCB asked for government support in terms of public work for this
development, we agreed to approve RM110 million on the condition that they
invest RM2 billion," Najib said.

"I am happy to note that they have invested more than RM3 billion," he
added.

Meanwhile, MRCB chairman Azlan Zainol said Nu Sentral has a ready catchment
population or market of more than 150,000 daily commuters who use Stesen Sentral
KL.

This is further complemented by more than 20,000 permanent workers and
residents who are either currently working or residing within the KL Sentral
development area, not to mention the thousands of other permanent residents in
the Brickfields neighbourhood.

"By the time the mall is completed, we anticipate more than 180,000 daily
commuters will utilise the combined KL Sentral station facilities," he said.
(US$1=RM3.50)
-- BERNAMA