PETALING JAYA: The Sultan of Selangor has thanked former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for initiating the LRT Shah Alam line (formerly LRT3) project and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for seeing it through.
However, the Ruler was critical of former finance minister Lim Guan Eng and former DAP MP Tony Pua for downscaling the 38km line from Johan Setia in Klang to Bandar Utama here.
In a royal address in conjunction with the opening of the LRT Shah Alam Line on June 29, 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 Ruler said he raised the proposal with Najib in 2015, saying he had received numerous letters from housewives lamenting that their husbands often returned home late because of traffic congestion on the Federal Highway.
His Royal Highness 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 relief measure.
However, the Ruler said the LRT Shah Alam Line was delayed for more than 18 months following the change of (federal) government in 2018, before facing another 19-month setback from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sultan Sharafuddin said the Finance Ministry under Lim, along with his adviser Pua, had reduced the project’s scope on the grounds that it was a “mega project”.
“I wish to stress that this was not a mega project nor for prestige – but a project for the interests and well-being of my people,” the Ruler said in a statement yesterday.
Sultan Sharafuddin said the reduction in scope by the duo resulted in smaller stations, fewer train carriages, and the shelving of five stations along the alignment.
The Ruler thanked Anwar for reinstating the five stations after becoming Prime Minister and Finance Minister, and for agreeing to build affordable housing in the vicinity of the 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,” His Royal Highness said.
Sultan Sharafuddin expressed hope that the LRT Shah Alam Line will 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.
The Ruler also urged Prasarana Malaysia Bhd (project owner and operator) to maintain the line properly to ensure smooth operations.
His Royal Highness also 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.”
