RM1b per LRT3 station sparks questions among netizens

 

THE reinstatement of five previously shelved stations on the LRT3 line in Shah Alam, Selangor, is now projected to cost RM5.3bil, up from the initial RM4.7bil estimate, according to Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah.

“This will bring the total cost for the LRT3 stations to RM21.93bil, still far lower than the original cost of RM31.65bil,” Hasbi told the Dewan Rakyat last week.

However, netizens on X are asking why an LRT station cost roughly RM1bil to build.

“Can anyone explain? asks an X user in a post on the LRT 3 stations cost. The user added that for this cost, the country could get a fully equipped large cancer hospital.

Boleh tak sapa-sapa explain why buat station LRT boleh capai lebih RM1 billion per station? Like apa cost yang paling tinggi? Sebab size bukan besar or apa.

Sebab for RM1 billion sama harga dengan 1 hospital kanser yang besar plus all the expensive equipments and machines. pic.twitter.com/h4mnHoyP6V

— Datuk Jahat Hensem (@datukhensem) November 1, 2024

Some users defended the cost of the LRT stations, saying it does not only comprise of the station alone as there are other major costs to consider. These costs would include land acquisition, feasibility studies, location, design complexities etc.

A user explained that the station alone could cost no less than RM500mil.

Kawan keje MRT citer, kos stesen tu sahaja boleh sampai setengah bil (max), dan stesen bawah tanah murah skit. Tapi selebihnya ialah kos location, design complexity, and land acquisition

— the hazxman  (@hazxman) November 1, 2024

The five stations – Tropicana, Temasya, Raja Muda, Bukit Raja, and Bandar Botanik – are set to have technical plans finalised by early 2025, with construction starting in late 2025 and operations expected in mid-2028.

The overall LRT3 project is currently 95.6% complete and scheduled to open in late 2024.

Nevertheless, an X user asked who was making the bulk of the money.

The LRT project should undergo an audit by independent international consultants. There are questions about who profited from changes made in the project. 

The whole LRT need to be audit by independent and international consultants First the alignment second the design. The contractor and design consultants must be checked and audited . From precast plinth become cast in-situ who made the money ????

— Leonard Devasagayam Pillai (@PillaiLeonard) November 1, 2024

- Focus Malaysia