PUTRAJAYA: Transport Minister Anthony Loke has questioned the Public Accounts Committee's (PAC) decision to probe the RM10.7 billion leasing agreement with China for electric trains.
"I don't understand what they want to investigate. The contract hasn't even been signed," he told a press conference.
"There's nothing to investigate because the matter is still in the conceptual stage, and no agreement has been finalised."
Earlier, Loke officiated the signing ceremony for the joint venture agreement on the operation and maintenance of the ECRL rail network, as well as the launch of the EMU Train Design and the ECRL logo.
His comments follow the PAC's announcement last week that it would start investigations into the 30-year leasing agreement involving the Transport Ministry, Economy Ministry, Railway Assets Corporation and Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd.
In August, Loke announced that Malaysia would enter into a RM10.7 billion leasing agreement with China to acquire an additional 62 passenger trains for KTMB.
He said the actual cost of the agreement would be finalised after the completion of negotiations with the China government and the sum would be paid in installments over 30 years.
Earlier, Loke officiated the signing ceremony for the joint venture agreement on the operation and maintenance of the ECRL rail network, as well as the launch of the EMU Train Design and the ECRL logo.
Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, China's Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing, and Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah.