PETALING JAYA: The Mass Rapid Transit 3 (MRT3) project can still move forward as planned albeit the reduction in budget, says the Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp).
Its chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim said budget savings were attainable as the project would be implemented through various open tender exercises with strict criteria and processes.
"MRT Corp is committed to safeguarding good governance at every stage of the project and will continue to exercise prudent cost control," said Mohd Zarif in a statement on Saturday (Feb 25).
When tabling Budget 2023 on Friday (Feb 24), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim revealed that the government would be looking at lowering the project’s cost to RM45bil.
The initial estimated cost back in 2018 was RM68bil, which was reduced to RM50bil last year by the previous government.
Mohd Zarif also expressed his appreciation to Anwar for his approval and commitment to implement the MRT3 Project as a high impact economic initiative.
The MRT3 Project, a critical component to complete the Klang Valley Public Transport Masterplan, was designed to provide better passenger flow throughout the Klang Valley rail transit network.
It also included connectivity to underserved areas of the city, development of a super interchange hub at Titiwangsa and investments in last mile and first mile connectivity.
Mohd Zarif said other than construction programmes, the MRT3 project also seeks to catalyse development of affordable housing along its corridor to meet the aspirations of Malaysia Madani, promote innovation in local Industrialised Building Systems (IBS) as well as system technologies, and enhance sustainable supply chain throughout the country.
He added that MRT Corp would ensure that any impact towards its stakeholders during the land acquisition and construction stages would be managed with much consideration.
The MRT3 Project would run in a loop along the perimeter of the city of Kuala Lumpur.
Its proposed 51km alignment would be connected to MRT, LRT, KTM, and Monorail lines through 10 interchange stations.
Mohd Zarif added that once completed, the urban rail network would further encourage public transport usage in Klang Valley.
