ACCORDING to the statistics published late last year, Malaysian household car ownership was 93 per cent per household.
Hence, Malaysia was ranked third in the world in terms of car ownership per household.
The reason we have such a high rate of car ownership is because of our public transport system. Compared to some developing countries, Malaysia’s transport system is better, but much more can be done to improve its efficiency.
I agree that the government must be careful in its spending in order not to get into financial trouble, and cancelling or postponing the East Coast Rail Line and High-Speed Rail projects may be acceptable. These projects may, however, cost more if there are plans to revive them in the future.
However, scrapping the Mass Rapid Transit 3 project (Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit) must be reconsidered. Postponing it is fine, but not cancelling it.
The project is critical as it is the final loop that connects the major points (Ampang Jaya, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Tun Razak Exchange, Bandar Malaysia, KL Eco City, Pusat Bandar Damansara, Mont Kiara and Sentul) in the Klang Valley.
If MRT3 is stopped, we would be one step behind, in fact, all major cities are building efficient rail connections in their metropolitan areas to provide efficient public transportation.
The MRT3 line (also known as the MRT Circle Line) is part of the MRT1 (51km Sungai Buloh-Kajang) and MRT2 (Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya) lines. It is scheduled to be 40km in length, 32km of which would be underground with 26 stations planned along the route.
Car ownership is the second largest family investment, after a house in Malaysia. But cars are depreciating assets and the money invested in them should be used for investments that can generate savings. As such, MRT3 should be built as this will provide efficient public transportation, which will help to reduce car ownership in the long term.
THOMAS FOO
Subang Jaya, Selangor