BN Government Proven Capable Of Fulfilling People's Aspirations - Najib

The existing government has been proven capable of fulfilling the people's aspirations, including providing many modes of public transport for their benefit, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The prime minister said many of the facilities provided by the government had initially been criticised by certain parties but they were now eager to own these facilities.

"Therefore, the people need to think rationally and ask themselves questions in determining their future and the country's in the 13th general election on May 5," he said when he officially opened the TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan), an integrated transportation terminal in Bandar Tasik Selatan, here, Sunday.

"There are those who are attracted to the word 'ubah' (change), as though what is important is to change what they have today, but what is actually important is the result (of our efforts).

"We should be asking ourselves, or try imagining Malayia without the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Putrajaya, the Terminal Bersepadu Selatan and other facilities that have been provided by the government all this while.

"There are people who say that all governments are the same, but this has been proven to be not true. There are governments which bring good to the people while the less capable ones bring disappointments."

Najib said the building of the RM570 million TBS as an integrated transportation hub for the public was a clear proof of the success of the national transformation policy being undertaken by the government.

He said this was also part of the goal of turning Malaysia into a high-income developed nation by 2020, besides being part of the government's "people first" concept.

"The government realises that efficient, reliable, integrated and affordable public transportation is something that is close to the people's hearts.

"To achieve this objective, we need to create a number of transportation hubs in the Klang Valley to avoid acute traffic congestion in the city and town areas," he said.

Najib said since the TBS started operating two years ago, ticket sales rose to 73.8 per cent and bus arrivals/departures by 21.7 per cent in 2012 from 20.6 per cent in 2011.

"In the first quarter of 2013, the average number of commuters using the TBS rose to 33,000 per day from 23,300 in the same period last year."

Najib said the existence of the TBS also helped ease bus and traffic congestion at Puduraya, now known as Pudu Sentral after getting a facelift.

He said the TBS could be given five-star rating based on the modern and sophisticated facilities available at the terminal, thus providing better comfort than even many of the airports in and outside the country.

"Among its special features is the use of the e-ticketing system, making it easy for passengers to buy tickets, besides solving the ticket tout problem. There are 18 ticket counters and one specially for the disabled."

He said the TBS also created business opportunities for traders as it has 60 shoplots occupied by businesses such as boutiques and restaurants, besides a 1Malaysia clinic. There are also 34 trading bays at the bazaar for petty traders.

Najib said the government would also build the Terminal Bersepadu Timur in Gombak to ease congestion in that part of the Klang Valley and to further improve the people's quality of life.