PETALING JAYA: New trains will be added to the Kelana Jaya LRT line by November to increase frequency and reduce congestion during peak hours on weekdays, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
The Prime Minister promised this after meeting with Prasarana Malaysia Berhad and the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) regarding the LRT service disruption that occurred during the morning rush-hour on Sept 7 and 9.
Prasarana chief executive officer Datuk Azmi Abdul Aziz had briefed Najib that preliminary findings indicated that a power failure resulted in the service disruption.
Najib added that SPAD highlighted the need for Prasarana to undertake a thorough assessment of the entire system as the Kelana Jaya line was nearing 20 years in service.
“I instructed that an independent technical assessor be appointed by Prasarana to undertake this exercise and SPAD will take part in this audit to ensure compliance.”
In a statement later, Najib said upgrading works on the 15 power substations along the line will also be commissioned and implemented to extend the life-span of the electrical system and enable it to cater to the fast-growing demand and future loads. “This measure will take up to three to six months to complete,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister extended Onam greetings to the Malayalee community, who will be celebrating the festival today.
“Onam Ashamsakal to all Malayalees in Malaysia,” he said in his Twitter account yesterday.
Onam, a harvest festival of the Malayalee community worldwide, falls during the first month of the Malayalam calendar called Chingam (which corresponds to August-September). It is celebrated to welcome a legendary emperor who, it is believed, will bring about a bountiful harvest.
On the 2016 Paralympics in Rio, Najib congratulated Abdul Latif Romly for winning the country’s third gold medal and setting the third world and Paralympic records in the process.
“Three world records in one night, breaking your own record. Abdul Latif Romly, you’re amazing! Congratulations, 3rd gold for #MAS in #Rio2016 #Paralympics #TerbangLatifTerbang,” said Najib via his official Twitter account, Bernama reported.
Abdul Latif, 19, from Kangar, broke the long jump T20 (learning disability) category with a 7.60m jump in his fifth attempt at the Olympic Stadium in Rio on Sunday.
The previous world record of 7.35m was also set by Abdul Latif at the IPC World Athletics Champion-ships in Doha, Qatar last year.
The first gold medal for Malaysia was won by Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi in the men’s 100m T36 (cerebral palsy category) dash.
The second gold was delivered by Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli with a new world record in the men’s shot put F20 (learning disability) event.
