At Last Its On

Ipoh-Padang Besar Double-track Project To Continue

PUTRAJAYA, March 16 (Bernama) -- The Cabinet Committee on Public Transport Friday decided to start immediately negotiations to finalise the double track electrification project from Ipoh to Padang Besar at the border with Thailand.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the government had decided to proceed with the project as the Rawang-Ipoh route had been completed.
He said the cost of the project would be determined after the Transport and Finance ministries concluded their negotiations on the price.
"As the Rawang and Ipoh route has been completed, the government can optimise the project if the track is extended to Padang Besar. I hope we can start the project soon after the negotiation is concluded," he told reporters after chairing the meeting here.
The 330km double tracking project north of Ipoh to Padang Besar was awarded to MMC Corp. (MMC) and Gamuda Bhd consortium three years ago but it was postponed in 2003 to curtail government spending on mega projects.
Gamuda and MMC are expected to spend about RM9 billion on the project.
On the construction of the southern section of the double track to Singapore, Najib said the government had given a letter of intent to India to take part in the project.
He said the Indian government would appoint a qualified contractor to carry out the project.

tunku : it was postponed end of 2003 by pak lah soon after taking over as the prime minister, the reason God knows, it was not financial for sure. after much criticism from Tun Mahathir it was announce few months ago that government will look into it and now Najib said that after the nego (price) it will kick off. If it was done then in 2003, i wonder government could have save hundred of million easily and that money could be channeled to the free text book scheme.Anyway i'm glad that its on.