According to Transport Minister Anthony Loke, the government's move to give Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) more passenger train assets will improve the company's public transportation services.
He guaranteed that the RM10.7 billion projected cost of the 62 new passenger train sets would not have a detrimental effect on KTMB employees or result in job losses. “The government will cover the cost of leasing these trains and this is part of a government contract. KTMB is a government-owned company and will receive the necessary funding support from the government if needed. “We have considered aspects such as maintenance, repair and KTMB staff. This was thoroughly discussed before finalising this decision. Therefore, KTMB employees need not worry about job losses. No one will lose their jobs.” According to Loke, the decision was made to address public complaints regarding the KTMB service quality decline and to give users the best possible service.Loke announced on August 14 that a new leasing approach will be used by the government to obtain passenger train assets for the KTMB network.
He said that in order to improve the standard of public transportation, the leasing approach would be put into place through a Malaysia-China government-to-government mechanism. The new plan intends to add 62 new passenger train sets for Phase 1, which runs from 2024 to 2027. The estimated cost of these sets is RM10.7 billion, which will be paid in installments over a 30-year lease period.
