Wee said it could be achieved with careful planning and the cooperation of all parties involved, including local councils and the companies involved in the project.
“Companies with experience and competence in rail projects will also serve as a ‘push factor’ in completing this KVDT2 project,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
In his winding-up speech on the 12MP, he reiterated that the decision to terminate contractor Dhaya Maju-LTAT Sdn Bhd was made by the Cabinet on Aug 28 and Sept 2 last year.
He was responding to his predecessor Loke Siew Fook (PH-Seremban) who wanted to know if the government could guarantee that the project would be completed by 2026, citing how the project had been put on hold after the contractor took Putrajaya to court.
Meanwhile, Wee also said Malaysia’s aviation sector was only expected to recover in three to four years’ time, due to the pandemic’s impact on the industry.
He said Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd’s plans to upgrade the Penang International Airport had been put on hold until the industry recovers as a whole as it could not afford to commence the works.
In the meantime, he said, the transport ministry would be working with the state government to obtain the land needed for the airport’s expansion.
Similarly, Wee said the ministry did not have funds available to help fund Penang’s Light Rail Transit project, reiterating that he was not against it.
“I’m not saying I don’t support it, but in terms of the availability of funds … maybe you can raise the matter with the finance minister,” he told Sim Tze Tzin (PH-Bayan Baru).
On the East Coast Rail Link project, he said the ministry had conducted 37 engagement sessions with the Selangor state government to come up with an amicable solution on where the line should run.
Noting the state and Selangor Palace’s concerns on the initial alignment’s impact on the environment, he said the ministry has already offered an alternative to the state government.
“I am still waiting for an answer from the state government. We will continue our efforts,” he said, when asked by Loke whether Selangor had already agreed to the new alignment.