KUALA LUMPUR: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has expressed his satisfaction following the launch of the Shah Alam LRT3 rail line, offering praise to both past and present prime ministers while criticising a decision to scale back the project in 2018.
In a statement published on his official Facebook page, the Selangor Ruler congratulated and thanked current Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for delivering the line, while giving credit to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for initiating it.
The Selangor Sultan also pointed out that former finance minister Lim Guan Eng and his political adviser, Tony Pua, had significantly reduced the project’s scope and budget in 2018.
Anwar had launched the Shah Alam LRT3 line on June 28 at the Setia Johan station depot.
Sultan Sharafuddin recalled that the project began following a personal request he made to Najib more than a decade ago to connect key hubs in the state with the capital.
“I wish to accord recognition to the former prime minister (Najib) … for acceding to my request that a rail transit facility be built to connect Klang, Shah Alam, and Kuala Lumpur,” Sultan Sharafuddin said.
“I still recall conveying this recommendation to (Najib) during a breaking of fast event at his residence in 2015, and he accepted my proposal without any hesitation.”
At the time, the Sultan Sharafuddin noted, traffic congestion during peak hours was severely worsened by the fact that Klang had only two bridges crossing the Klang River. He also credited Najib with the prompt abolition of the Batu Tiga and Sungai Rasau toll plazas in 2018 as an immediate measure to ease the gridlock.
Turning to the current administration, Sultan Sharafuddin acknowledged Anwar’s role in ensuring the continuation, completion, and restoration of the Shah Alam LRT3 project.
He commended the prime minister for his commitment to building affordable housing near the transit line and for reinstating five of the six stations that had been cancelled in 2018 under the second administration of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“When (Anwar) assumed the offices of prime minister and finance minister, he agreed to proceed with this project by reinstating five of the cancelled stations,” Sultan Sharafuddin said.
“He will also develop affordable housing in the vicinity of the stations and along the LRT3 route to enhance convenience for my subjects.
“Furthermore, he has instructed that no further obstructions from any party regarding this project should be entertained. I convey my gratitude and congratulations to the (Anwar).”
The Selangor Ruler was critical of the 2018 decision by the Finance Ministry to downsize the project, arguing that Lim and Pua did not understand the underlying public benefit of the infrastructure.
“(They did this) on the pretext that it was a ‘mega’ project,” Sultan Sharafuddin stated.
“However, they failed to understand that the primary purpose of the LRT3 project was to meet the needs and requirements of the people.
“I wish to emphasise that this is neither a mega project nor an endeavour for self-aggrandisement; rather, it is a project designed for the interests and well-being of my subjects.”
Sultan Sharafuddin expressed hope that the new line would reduce traffic congestion and provide a faster, safer, and more comfortable commute for residents of Klang and Shah Alam working in Kuala Lumpur. He added that the line should act as an economic catalyst, improving quality of life and strengthening connectivity across the Greater Kuala Lumpur region.
Crucially, the Ruler stressed that the completion of the line was a collective achievement that spanned multiple governments.
“I do not wish to see any party seize the opportunity to claim that the successful execution of the LRT3 project is solely the result of their own efforts,” he said.
“In truth, this project is the outcome of continuous planning, commitment, and cooperation among various parties across several administrations, for the benefit of the people of Selangor as a whole.”
Image: Selangor Royal Office/Facebook
