Simpang Renggam MP Maszlee Malik said once the project is completed in 2021, it would completely change the landscape of the town which is now considered a “dead” or “zombie” town.

“When the railway station ‘comes to life’, the town of Renggam will become a new town and not remain a ‘dead town’.

“Thank you to the transport ministry and YTL (the contractor), which are listening to the voices of the Renggam people,” he said during the project’s public briefing in Renggam today.

Present were the project’s team leader Noor Azman Ramlee and Renggam penghulu Asmi Mislan.

Maszlee, who is also education minister, said job opportunities would most certainly be available during the construction period and afterwards, and requested residents to remain patient for the next three years till its completion.

Meanwhile, Azman said the project, which was 28% complete, was on track, including the transfer of 929 settlements along the route.

He said his team always looked for the best way to develop the RM8.9 billion project, including the prevention of landslides.

“Currently, the trains are expected to go through 11 stops, but, if there is demand in the future, three more stations will be opened, namely at Chamek, Skudai and Tenang,” he said.

The project under the transport ministry involves a 192km railway track which will pass through stations such as Segamat, Kluang, Labis, Bekok, Paloh, Renggam, Layang-Layang, Mengkibol, Kulai dan Kempas Baru.

Expected to commence service in October 2021, a trip from KL Sentral to JB Sentral will take three hours and 30 minutes.