Rafizi: RM21b MRT1 cost off the mark, excludes consultancy fees

PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli insisted today that the RM21 billion figure cited as the total cost of the 51km Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line from Sungai Buloh to Kajang is off the mark.

At a press conference today, Rafizi said this was because it did not take into account the RM7 billion in consultancy fees MRT Corp paid to KV MRT Sdn Bhd - a joint consortium formed between MMC Corporation Bhd and Gamuda Bhd.

"This is why I strongly condemn attempts by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to mislead the people on the total cost of the 150km MRT project.

"Not only (the fact) that the entire project costs would exceed RM100 billion was hidden from the public, his (Najib's) announcement that 'MRT 1 project only costs RM21 billion, with a saving of RM2 billion' is inaccurate as it does not take into account the consultation fees," Rafizi, the Pandan MP, said.

Specifically, Rafizi referred to a July 2014 New Straits Times report quoting former MRT Corp chief executive officer Wira Azhar Abdul Hamid as confirming that the total figure of RM28 billion included consultancy fees paid to KV MRT and other related costs.

[More to follow]

-Mkini