KUALA LUMPUR: Work on the My Rapid Transit (MRT) project touted by the Prime Minister as the most practical solution for transportation needs in the Klang Valley will start in November.

The first phase, spanning 51km and with 31 stops from Sungai Buloh to Kajang, will be completed in 2016.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said that since taking office, solving public transportation woes was one of his priorities.

“The project is not only crucial in ensuring the smooth movement of passengers but also a catalyst for the country's economic growth.

“Investment into the project will flow back into the economy. The direct contribution from construction activities to the gross national income is expected to be in the range of RM3bil to RM4bil annually, beginning this year till 2020,” Najib said at the project launch yesterday.

Target achieved: Najib launching the MRT in Kuala Lumpur Friday. With him are (L-R) SPAD CEO Mohd Nur Ismail Mohd Kamal, Syed Hamid Albar (partly hidden), Izzuddin and Prasarana Negara Bhd group managing director Shahril Mokhtar.

He added that the project would also provide job opportunities to some 130,000 people directly or indirectly throughout the construction period.

Property development close to the MRT line was expected to increase several-fold with new projects estimated to be worth RM15bil emerging in the next 10 years.

The MRT is the largest single infrastructure project undertaken by the Government under the Economic Transformation Programme.

Also present were MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha, Land Transport Commission chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar and Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad chairman Tan Sri Izzudin Dali.

Najib said for Malaysia to achieve its high income nation target, Kuala Lumpur needed to be a sustainable and vibrant metropolis on par with other capital cities of developed nations.

“Much more can still be done including providing an integrated transport system,” he said.

With the Klang Valley population expected to reach 20 million by 2020, the MRT is a crucial people mover.

At the same time, the Prime Minister said, initiatives were being taken to further improve other transport systems in the city, including bus, LRT, monorail and the KTM commuter services.

“Like other public projects, the MRT project will be a transparent one. Its implementation will be through a procurement process that is open and transparent.

“The Government hopes that with its pledge to ensure transparency, along with commitment from relevant parties to act honestly and uphold public trust, the project will be successful and be a shining example for other future efforts to develop the country into a prosperous one,” he said.

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