KUALA LUMPUR, 22 April — The recent spate of LRT breakdowns across the Klang Valley is not merely a technical issue, but the result of past policy decisions that prioritised short-term cost-cutting over long-term system resilience, according to BERJASA vice-president Afif Badhrulhisham.
In a statement, Afif said current commuter issues stem from 2018 decisions when the PH government scaled down major transport projects for fiscal reform.
“LRT Previous Cost-cutting came at a price”
Afif said the LRT3 Shah Alam line cost was reduced from RM31.7 billion to RM16.6 billion after PH-led renegotiations in 2018.
While the move was widely presented as a success in saving public funds, he said the long-term implications are now becoming apparent.
What was framed as a RM15 billion saving did not translate into real efficiency. Instead, it led to project disruptions, scope reductions, and delayed outcomes,” he said.
Among the measures taken was the shelving of five stations due to fiscal constraints.
Reinstated stations, rising costs
Afif said reinstating shelved stations later drove the project cost up to RM21.93 billion, as reflected in the 2024 budget.
He said this reversal undermines earlier claims of savings and highlights the consequences of altering project scope midstream.
The savings effectively evaporated, while the delays and planning setbacks remained,” he added
The LRT3 project faced repeated delays, with completion pushed from March 2025 to June 2026.
Technical issues or structural problems?
Transport Minister Anthony Loke has attributed the delays to technical issues, including 33 glitches identified during fault-free run tests.
However, Afif questioned whether these problems could be separated from earlier policy decisions.
He said it may be technically correct to attribute delays to testing issues, but doing so avoids the bigger question of whether political pressure undermined the project’s chances of success from the start.
Ageing fleet adds pressure
Afif also highlighted ongoing issues with the Kelana Jaya LRT line, which serves approximately 250,000 passengers daily.
He noted that many of the trains in operation are approaching or have exceeded 20 years in service, contributing to frequent disruptions.
He said the government has allocated RM1 billion for 26 new train sets expected to arrive in 2028, but commuters must deal with an ageing fleet in the meantime.
“Admitting that breakdowns cannot be ruled out reflects the current limitations of the system,” he added.
Financial strain on Prasarana
Beyond infrastructure, Afif pointed to the financial position of Prasarana Malaysia Bhd as a structural concern.
He noted that the company’s accumulated losses stood at RM55.32 billion as of end-2024, up from RM46.88 billion in 2020.
In 2025, Prasarana reportedly injected RM700 million into its rail operations arm, Rapid Rail, to sustain operations.
Afif added that the My50 unlimited travel pass — introduced as a commuter relief measure — has further strained finances, with demand exceeding allocations and creating an RM84 million shortfall.
He said the operator is absorbing the burden of maintaining affordable fares, despite already requiring significant capital for upgrades and maintenance.
“Structural issues require policy rethink”
Afif described the current situation as a “structural trap” involving subsidised fares, underfunded maintenance, and scaled-down infrastructure.
“A delayed project, combined with financial and operational constraints, raises concerns about long-term reliability,” he said.
Call for long-term approach
Afif urged the government to move beyond what he described as “performative accountability”, such as issuing fines and public reprimands, and instead undertake a broader policy review.
“Public transport requires sustained investment and long-term planning. Short-term political decisions have long-term consequences,” he said.
He added that commuters are ultimately concerned with service reliability rather than political responses.
“The commuter stuck on a stalled train does not care about statements or blame. They care whether the train moves,” he said.
