Najib and family test out new MRT line

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and family pose with supporters at the Merdeka MRT Station's Rukunegara Wall

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak took time off his schedule on Wednesday evening to test out the second phase of the Sungai Buloh-Kajang MRT line which opens to the public next week.

He arrived at the Pusat Bandar Damansara MRT station accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and son Ashman at around 6pm before being given a short briefing about the MRT.

The trip was not open for media coverage. However, a number of local bloggers and social media celebrities were invited along as guests for the ride, with popular Facebook pages such as Siakap Keli running a live feed of the visit.

Najib and his family were seen getting onto the MRT and touring the new underground sections before hopping on one of the feeder buses that connects the stations to popular areas in the vicinity.

“Arrived at the Pusat Bandar Damansara MRT station to check out phase two Semantan-Kajang line which will open in five days,” Najib tweeted on Wednesday evening.

The tweet was accompanied by a 10-minute clip that showed him mingling with his guests and taking pictures with them aboard the train.

The trio later posed for a photo with their guests in front of the “Rukun Negara wall” at the new Merdeka MRT station.

“Beautiful carving of the Rukun Negara wall at the Merdeka MRT station. Many will have the opportunity to take selfies here beginning July 17,” he said in another tweet several hours later.

The Prime Minister appeared to be in good spirits during the visit, and even whipped out his smartphone midway through the bus journey to play songs for his wife who was seated next to him.

He was then filmed describing what was the “most modern MRT line in the world.”

“It will provide comfort to users, who will be able read books, use the wifi, and arrive safely at their destinations. This is only the beginning. We will be doing much more to create a successful and glorious nation,” he added.

Najib and Rosmah later thanked their guests before exiting the bus into their waiting vehicle.

The second phase of the MRT line continues from Semantan all the way to Kajang, and will be connected to other rail and public transport services in the Klang Valley.

The first phase connecting Sungai Buloh and Semantan was opened to the public in December last year.

The MRT line has a total of 31 stations, with more stations planned for the future.