BUSAN, South Korea: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today visited Hyundai Rotem today, during which he was given updates on works done by the company on the MRT2 project as well as the electric train coaches for KTMB.
The MRT2 also known as Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya (SSP) Line.
The company’s facility located in Changwon, about 35km from Busan, manufactured rolling stock, defence products, automotive and plant equipment.
Hyundai Rotem’s vice-chairman Dr Yoo-Cheol Woo who received Dr Mahathir on arrival also showcased to the PM its latest rail technologies specifically its ongoing R&D in the hydrogen-powered train.
The company is the largest rolling stock manufacturer in South Korea with exports to 36 countries all over the world.
It has successfully delivered many rolling stocks for metro rail, national rail and high-speed rail.
Spending about 2 hours touring the facility, the Dr Mahathir also drove the Hyundai Nexo, a hydrogen fuel cell-powered crossover Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).
Dr Mahathir was also given an update on Hyundai Rotem's defence products including armoured vehicle.
He also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Malaysia's Sapura Group and Hyundai Rotem to collaborate in rail-related technologies.
Sapura Group chief operating officer, Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim said Sapura was looking at growing rail-related capabilities and technologies in Malaysia and Asean.
He represented Sapura for the signing while Yoo signed for Hyundai Rotem.
Sapura was planning a domestic direct investment (DDI) in rail system technologies and invited the South Korean company to undertake a foreign direct investment (FDI) in local rail Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) industry.
"The idea today is for Sapura to work together in electronics and rail systems rail so we can develop our own and transfer the technology to Malaysia," he said.
Sapura has identified an area in Mentakab, near the intersection between KTMB and ECRL rail track, for the facility. -- BERNAMA