LRT Projects: Prasarana Yet to Respond to Safety Issues

Al Jafree Md Yusop (jafree@malaysiandigest.com)

Thursday, 19 July 2012 12:42

KUALA LUMPUR: PKR is putting more heat on Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad to provide explanation over the party’s revelation on the technical evaluation done by an expert consultant on the Ampang light rail transit (LRT) extension project. PKR strategic director Rafizi Ramli (pic) today slammed the federal government-owned company for failing to respond to the party’s inquiry over the safety aspects of all its projects including the extension of Ampang and Kelana Jaya LRTs. "Prasarana has been quite consistent in failing to provide an immediate response when it comes to the safety aspects of all its projects. "I have also studied the talk between residents of Putra Heights and Taman Alam Megah with Prasarana on the protest against the planned extension of the Kelana Jaya LRT system," Rafizi told a press conference today. He said that the residents’ concerns over the LRT project are being supported by experts like National Institute of Disaster Research chairman Prof Dr Tajul Anuar Jamaluddin. However, he said, the residents’ concerns are still being ignored up to this day although the Selangor state government has provided Prasarana with a proposal for a safer alternative route. The various safety issues highlighted by the residents include the rail tracks being too close to residential areas and abandoned quarries. "I am looking at this issue seriously as it involves public safety. "Therefore I urge the Selangor state government to implement tougher condition that will include the formation of a panel to look into the technical evaluation report provided by the expert consultant to ensure the safety of the people of Selangor," he said. He also called for the Pakatan Rakyat-led Selangor government to stop Prasarana from continuing with the project until the company has provided an explanation addressing these safety issues. "If ever that Prasarana failed to consider the demand, I urge the state government to use its power to ensure that Prasarana won't be able to continue with the project," he added. source- MD