Gemas-JB rail project 92% complete, says Loke

KLUANG: The Gemas-Johor Baru Electrified Double Track project is on track and has reached 92% completion, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

“We will need time to complete the project (fully) and to conduct some testing and commissioning.

“There were some delays because of the Covid-19 pandemic but the project is now back on track.

“We expect it to be up and running in 2025,” he said when asked about the update of the project during a press conference here on Thursday (Sept 7).

Loke had just witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) by the Kluang Municipal Council, Railway Assets Corporation, SIPP-YTL JV and Think City for the construction of the Kluang Heritage Railway Liner Park here.

On an unrelated matter, Loke, who is also DAP secretary-general, said parties under the unity government will continue to maintain a good relationship despite differences of opinion.

“In any political relationship, there are bound to be issues and differences. That is normal.

“It is not a problem and we do not go to the extent of getting into a fight. What is important is that the state and Federal governments continue to have a very close and good relationship,” he said.

Umno supreme council member Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said in a statement on Facebook that Loke should not be concerned about whether or not Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) would affect the Pulai by-election.

Nur Jazlan said constituents there had already decided who they would vote for before Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was granted the DNAA in the Yayasan Akalbudi case.

Nur Jazlan was responding to an earlier statement by Loke asking the Attorney General to explain why Ahmad Zahid was granted a DNAA at the prosecution’s request.