Cabinet agrees to implement MRT3, improve flood mitigation projects

The Cabinet today agreed to implement the Mass Rapid Transit Line 3 (MRT3) and improve the implementation of the Sabah-Sarawak Pan Borneo Highway (PBH) and flood mitigation projects.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said priority would be given to local contractors, especially Bumiputeras.

He said this was also to create business and job opportunities for the Malaysian Family, driving the country’s economic development and growth.

“The implementation of high-impact infrastructure projects in the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak, including the construction of integrated rail lines and highways as well as flood mitigation projects, will catalyse economic development and contribute to the country’s competitiveness and the well-being of the people.

“The decision to implement those projects reflects the government’s concern about providing opportunities and strengthening the momentum of the country’s economic recovery,” he said in a statement today.

Ismail said the nod to the implementation of the MRT3 project was to complete the existing public transport infrastructure in the Klang Valley by providing integrated, affordable and seamless services.

The MRT3 project was suspended by the Pakatan Harapan administration before the new Cabinet under the leadership of Muhyiddin Yassin agreed to resume the project last year.

Meanwhile, Ismail said the government had also agreed to proceed with the implementation of 19 additional work packages for the Sabah LPB covering a distance of 367km and a construction period of five years.

He said the first phase of the Sabah LPB, which encompasses 15 packages, had seen 52% progress and was expected to be fully completed by October 2024, while the work progress of the first phase of Sarawak LPB involving a 786km alignment had reached 78%.

“To complement the Sarawak LPB, the government has also agreed to implement the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road project and the Trans-Borneo Highway project,” he said.

Apart from that, he said the Cabinet also agreed to increase and expedite the implementation of flood mitigation projects with an additional allocation of RM15 billion for 2023 to 2030, after taking into account the last northeast monsoon surge for 2021/2022 which resulted in the loss of lives and damage to property.

The government currently provides a development budget of RM1 billion under the 12th Malaysia Plan.