PETALING JAYA: The Sultan of Selangor has thanked former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for initiating the LRT3 project and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for seeing it through to completion but was critical of former finance minister Lim Guan Eng and former DAP MP Tony Pua for scaling back the rail line.
In a royal address issued in conjunction with the opening of the Shah Alam LRT3 line, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah said he "gave credit" to Najib for listening to his request to build a rail link connecting Klang, Shah Alam and Kuala Lumpur.
The state Ruler said he raised the proposal with Najib in 2015, saying he had received numerous letters, particularly from housewives, lamenting that their husbands often returned home late because of traffic congestion on the Federal Highway.
He said at the time, Klang had only two bridges crossing Sungai Klang, worsening peak-hour traffic, prompting Najib's administration to abolish the Batu Tiga and Sungai Rasau toll plazas in 2018 as an immediate traffic relief measure.
However, His Royal Highness said the project was delayed for more than 18 months following the change of government in 2018, before facing another 19-month setback due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said the Finance Ministry under Lim, together with his adviser Tony Pua, had reduced the project's investment on the grounds that it was a "mega project".
"I wish to stress that this was not a mega project not for prestige – but a project for the interests and well-being of my people," he said in a statement on Wednesday (July 1).
Sultan Sharafuddin said the changes resulted in smaller stations, fewer train carriages and the cancellation of five proposed stations along the alignment.
He thanked Anwar for restoring the five cancelled stations after becoming prime minister and finance minister, and for agreeing to build affordable housing in the vicinity of the LRT3 stations.
"He also directed that there should no longer be any obstacles from any party affecting the project. Thank you and well done to Anwar," he said.
Sultan Sharafuddin expressed hope that the LRT3 would reduce traffic congestion, provide a faster, safer and more comfortable mode of transport and strengthen connectivity between Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam and Klang.
He also urged Prasarana to maintain the line properly to ensure smooth operation.
His Royal Highness stressed that no one should claim sole credit for the project.
"This project is the result of planning, commitment and cooperation across several administrations for the benefit of the people of Selangor," he said.
