Liow: Take good care of MRT
We must respect public facilities so all can use them, says minister
BENTONG: The public must take better care of facilities provided for them so that everyone can use the services as intended, says Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
The Transport Minister said he was disappointed to hear about incidences of vandalism of facilities along the newly-launched MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang (SBK) line.
“We must respect public facilities so that all can use them,” Liow told reporters after a Hari Raya open house function at Bentong District and Land Office yesterday.
It was earlier reported that in just a week after the MRT SBK line was launched, Mass Rapid Transport Corporation Sdn Bhd was already forking out thousands of ringgit just to repair damage caused by vandals.
Vandals have damaged specially designed benches in at least four underground stations, and even broke a spotlight.
Liow said the public transport system was built for the benefit of the rakyat, adding that as such, the public has a responsibility to take care of it.
Asked about the possibility of introducing the MRT system in other parts of the country, Liow said the Government would first focus on the Greater Kuala Lumpur area.
He said MRT Line 2 connecting Sungai Buloh and Cyberjaya as well as MRT Line 3, also known as Circle MRT Line, would take several years to complete.
“MRT 2 is in the construction phase. Hopefully, it will be completed in 2021. MRT 3 is expected to be completed by 2027,” Liow added.
It was reported that the Government was looking at introducing the MRT system in other parts of the country, depending on needs and viability.
On another issue, Liow said he would request that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak increase the allocation for Chinese primary and conforming schools (SMJK) in Budget 2018, which will be tabled at the Dewan Rakyat on Oct 27.
He also said the allocation for conforming schools for 2016 had been distributed recently, and the allocation for 2017 will be distributed by year’s end.