MARIC WANTS TO BE INVOLVED IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10  -- The Malaysia Rail Industry Corporation (MARIC) is of the view that it should be given an opportunity to not just be an industry implementer, but also be jointly involved in the planning for the development of any public transport.

In a statement today, MARIC  said in this way, the capability of locals can be defended and their achievements strengthened through the use of design, installation, components and local services.

"Incentives should be given for the formulation of the Malaysian rail standard. The local industry can also prepare itself and make suitable products based on demand and requirements of the national rail standard which needs to be reviewed and given a new lease.

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“In this way, it will avoid wastage, primarily if a component has matured in another industry, for example the automotive sector and found qualified to be used in the rail segment,” it added.

MARIC was also expressing its views as part of the Budget 2020 wishlist for the sector.

It said the national rail standard should be the guide for the government, implementation agencies, rail entrepreneurs as well as the industry to enhance local products and prioritise Malaysian made products.   

MARIC also urged that more opportunities and incentives be made available to local rail players in ensuring the success of public transport projects of a mega scale.

It said public transport projects such as the East Coast Railway Link (ECRL), as well as key urban rail ventures including the Penang and Kuching Light Rail Transport (LRT) and the Johor Bharu-Singapore Rail Transit Service (RTS) in Budget 2020 are aimed at enhancing the country’s economy, and at the same time, narrowing connectivity and communications nationally.

MARIC secretary Haniff Ghazali said the government needs to understand and give priority to the local industry comprising engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC)  companies as well as those in production and technology installation, alongside innovation in rail components, while actively involved in the maintenance, repair and overhaul for stock cars based on international technology to further boost the business climate in the rail sector.

“Indirectly, the expertise obtained through the transfer of technology, can be used to explore the MRO market in the Southeast Asian region which is actively implementing rail transformation programmes of their own,” he added.

According to Haniff, it is estimated that that more than 50 per cent of local components qualify to be installed and used in the engineering system segment for the ECRL project at an overall cost estimate of RM5 billion, with the primary focus involving the communications package, electrification, track works, ticket collection system and the installation of stock cars. 

MARIC also hopes that the government will implement pre-qualification programmes for all systems engineering players in Malaysia for the purpose of supporting the construction of the ECRL by the main contractor, MRL-CCCC.

It also expressed willingness to be actively involved in the public private partnership concept for the construction, rehabilitation and overhaul of rail connectivity.

 The PPP, it said, was the best model for collaboration with the government in meeting the challenge of  the last mile connectivity and rehabilitation.

“The government should also provide incentives for the public transport PPP which can ensure urban and inter-city mobility that is efficient and safe,” it added.

-- BERNAMA