KUALA LUMPUR (July 30): The Ministry of Finance (MoF) said the government has managed to save a project cost of RM66 billion, excluding the interest cost, with the cancellation of the third mass rapid transit line (MRT3) alone.

"For the MRT3 project, the government has basically decided to cancel this mega project for the purpose of reducing the country's debt load," MoF said in a written reply dated July 26 to Batang Sadong MP Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.

The ministry said works on MRT Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya (SSP) Line's second phase (MRT2) will continue after the scope and project specifications were reviewed, while the Sungai Buloh-Kajang (SBK) Line's first phase (MRT1) operates as usual.

As reported on May 30, MRT3, estimated to cost up to RM40 billion, is the final alignment of the MRT series of urban rail networks, intended to link with MRT1 and MRT2.

Under Budget 2018, the construction of the MRT3 had been moved forward to 2025, two years ahead of the original 2027 schedule.

The project was said to span a total of 40km and will cover hotspots in the city centre including Ampang Jaya, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Bukit Bintang, Tun Razak Exchange, Bandar Malaysia, Bangsar, Pusat Bandar Damansara, Mont Kiara and Sentul.

Nancy wanted to know whether the government will continue the plan to build MRT3.