KUALA LUMPUR: There is no delay to the work on the Segamat to Johor Baru stretch of the KTMB’s electrification and double tracking project (EDTP), says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
Speaking to the media after opening the Asean-China International Rail Transit Forum 2025 here Wednesday (Aug 6) morning, he said things remain on track for the entire EDTP – stretching 192km from Gemas to JB Sentral – to be ready by “the end of the year”.
“It is inaccurate to say that there is a delay. In fact, I have said a few months ago that the project will be completed in phases. The first phase was the opening of the Gemas to Segamat in March (2025),” he said.
“The second phase will be from Segamat to Kluang, which we intend to open before Aug 31,” he said.
The third phase will be from Kluang to JB Sentral.
On the actual commencement date of ETS services from Segamat to Kluang, Loke said the government is awaiting confirmation from a “very important person” who will be given the honour to drive the first ETS to Kluang.
He, however, remained coy on the identity of the VIP.
On the perception that the EDTP project is delayed, he said the first (new) train just finished testing, and that is the reason why he was not able to make any announcement any earlier, other than waiting for confirmation from the “VIP train driver”.
On the status of KL International Airport’s aerotrain, which was beset with yet another service stoppage earlier this week, Loke said the interruption was indeed disappointing.
“We acknowledge the weakness, and are regretful. We have told MAHB to see to it with the contractor,” he said, while asking the public to consider that the aerotrain had actually moved 1.5 million passengers a month since it was relaunched on July 1 after a replacement programme.
“It is a 15-minute interruption caused by a software bug, and is not a mechanical fault,” he said, adding that like any system, maintenance has to be performed.
The railway forum here was organised by UTAR with four Chinese institutions: the Beijing Jiaotong University, Urban Rapid Rail Transit, Centre for Railway Infrastructure and Engineering, as well as the Centre for Sustainable Mobility Technologies.
The event was primarily sponsored by Tianma Bearing and China Railway Signal & Communication Co Ltd.
In his opening speech, Loke praised UTAR’s role – under the leadership of Prof Datuk Ewe Hong Tat – in contributing to the creation of a qualified workforce for the development of rail in Malaysia.
UTAR’s role in the development of the local rail industry comes from the Centre for Railway Infrastructure and Engineering under the leadership of Dr Chua Kein Huat.
