KUALA LUMPUR: The government has approved the construction of the third Mass Rapid Transit Line 3 (MRT3) that will link the existing MRT1 and MRT2 lines into one giant loop around the Greater Klang Valley.
Also known as the Circle Line, the project was previously suspended by the Pakatan Harapan-led federal administration.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob who confirmed this in a statement today, said priorities for the project would be given to local contractors especially Bumiputera to generate business opportunities as well as creating employment opportunities for the people.
"The implementation of this project will drive the country's economic growth and development, in line with the objective of the government to empower the business sector as well as creating 600,000 jobs this year.
"The government has decided to approve the implementation of the MRT3 project to complete the existing public transportation infrastructure in the Klang Valley by providing integrated transportation system that is affordable for the people," he said.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong in April last year had said that the MRT3 project was given the go-ahead by the federal government.
Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp) was previously reported as saying that the entire alignment of the MRT3 will be about 50km.
Preliminary plan for the MRT3 will include 30 stations, where 10 of them are MRT interchange stations, light rail transit (LRT) and KTM Komuter lines.
Ismail Sabri also announced that the Cabinet had agreed to set aside RM15 billion in additional expenses over a period of seven years starting next year to enhance and expedite floods mitigation projects in the country.
The Cabinet, he said, made the a decision following the 2021/2022 floods triggered by the northeast monsoon.
At the moment, Ismail Sabri said the government had set aside RM1 billion in allocation annually under the 12th Malaysian Plan for flood mitigation projects
"After taking into consideration the flood phenomenon in the wake of the 2021/2022 northeast monsoon which claimed many lives and destroyed properties, the Cabinet has decided to enhance and expedite flood mitigation projects with additional allocations of RM15 billion for the period of 2023 until 2030," he said.
Ismail Sabri also said the government had agreed to implement the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road (SSLR) and Trans Borneo Highway Projects which will complement the on-going Pan Borneo Highway Project in Sarawak and Sabah.
He said the progress of the construction of the first phase of the Pan Borneo Highway project in Sarawak involving 786km has reached 78 per cent.
Meanwhile, he said the construction of the first phase of the Pan Borneo Highway project in Sabah comprising 15 work packages had reached 52 per cent and it is expected to be completed by October 2024.
"To enhance the road connectivity in Sabah, the government has agreed to go ahead with the implementation of 19 additional work packages in the state.
"The additional work packages will involve 367km which will take five years for it to be completed.
"As for Sarawak, the government has agreed to implement the SSLR and the Trans Borneo Highway Project," he said.
The implementation of all these high-impact projects, he said, were expected to stimulate the country's economic development, increase the competitiveness of the nation and elevate the wellbeing of the people.
"The decision to implement all these projects reflects the government's concern in providing opportunities for the people and strengthening the economic recovery momentum of the country," he said.