Thursday 28 Mar 2024
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KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 28): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the finance minister, is set to table the revised Budget 2023 on Feb 24.

As is the norm, there are speculations — and wish lists — in the run-up to the announcement, of what policy measures that could, or should, be included.

The Edge’s regular column Tong’s Portfolio, which is also this issue’s first cover story, looks at measures that ought to be taken to improve the government’s finances, shore up investor confidence in order to draw in foreign direct investment — especially high-value investments — raise living standards, and drive the digitalisation of the economy.   

The second cover story takes a look at the problems faced by Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, a major owner and operator of the public rail system in the Klang Valley.

With multiple breakdowns, including the unprecedented five-day shutdown of parts of the busy Kelana Jaya LRT Line, Prasarana's management had to face public anger over the failure in managing the public transport system in the nation’s capital city.

The public anger is not unfounded — Malaysia since 2010 has spent billions of ringgit to improve public transport, especially in the Klang Valley. 

As of June 2022, the government had given guarantees to the tune of RM41.6 billion to Prasarana, as well as RM80.05 billion to DanaInfra Nasional Bhd — both involved in the development of the rail public transport sector. 

Despite the over RM100 billion spent by Prasarana and Mass Rapid Transit Corp Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) on rail public transport projects since 2010, Malaysians still have to put up with substandard public transport services and infrastructure.

To become a world-class city, the Klang Valley or Greater Kuala Lumpur must have an efficient public transport system. However, it seems that this is still a distant dream.

The Edge spoke to the president and group chief executive officer of Prasarana, Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah, to better understand the issues faced by the agency, as well as its plans to improve services going forward.

Read more in the Jan 30 issue of The Edge Malaysia weekly.

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