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This
year will be a year of transformation for the
Transport Ministry, Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee
Keat said.
Ong said as the minister entrusted with the
National Key Result Area of improving urban
public transport, he would focus
on several targets.
For 2010, he would ensure the completion of the
process for procuring 40 new six-car trains for
KTM Komuter.
“This is important so that the trains can be
delivered by mid-2012,” he said in his New Year
message in his blog yesterday.
Ong said he would be launching innovative
programmes to improve bus services.
“Four Bus Expressway Transit corridors will be
launched in January 2010. The services will use
under-utilised highways to connect high
catchment areas with Kuala Lumpur city centre,”
he said.
He added that he would
complete the detailed engineering study for the
first Bus Rapid Transit system in 2011.
“Bus Rapid Transits are specialised bus services
running on segregated bus lanes, similar to the
successful operations in Bogota, Columbia. Two
more BRT corridors will be launched by 2012,” he
said.
Ong said he would also push for integrated smart
ticketing for Klang Valley’s public transport
and reorganise transport terminals within Kuala
Lumpur to cater for inter-city, regional, and
local bus traffic.
Another focus, he added, would be the improved
facilities for the disabled in train stations,
upgrade station-to-station connectivity, and
roll out more park and ride facilities.
In the aviation sector, he said the Government’s
move to open up the nation’s economy had been
given a push with the liberalisation of the
aviation sector.
In the maritime sector, Ong said
the Ad-Hoc Committee on Administration and Good
Governance for the Port Klang Free Zone had come
up with many good suggestions to uphold
transparency and accountability.
“These are very sound and practical suggestions
which are being implemented at different levels,
not only in Port Klang but also at other
federal-run ports like Penang and Pasir Gudang
in Johor,” he said.
On the MCA, Ong said 2010 should be the time for
all factions to work together for the people and
the Chinese community.
“My unwavering focus to do the right thing and
the commitment to do things right will be the
guide on how we can build a better 2010 and
beyond,” he said.
Ong said as a major Barisan Nasional component
party, it must be able to stand up to injustice
and engage any other like-minded forces to seek
redress on issues of public concerns.
“We have to be bold and loud if and when we have
to.
“We need to transform and energise MCA that will
be fearless in championing equal opportunities
and a level playing field, not only for the
Chinese community, but for all Malaysians,” he
said.
Source: The STAR
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