Dr M impressed after ride on 'expensive' MRT

 

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad rode the new Sungai Buloh-Putrajaya MRT yesterday and was left impressed.

Mahathir said he and his wife Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali were accompanied by MRT staff throughout their journey to Putrajaya.

"Generally, I felt that I was in a developed country. It was a good journey.

"There were many facilities for riders. The stations were big and equipped with lifts and escalators," he said.

Oddly, Mahathir remarked that the MRT project was "expensive”.

"I believe the rail facilities will be welcomed by the rakyat if the high cost was ignored," he wrote.

During Mahathir's second stint as prime minister from 2018 to 2020, one of the priorities of his administration was reducing the cost of the Sungai Buloh-Putrajaya MRT line.

Eventually, the cost was pared down to RM30.53 billion - from RM39.35 billion.

The first two MRT projects were both initiated during the Najib Abdul Razak administration.

Several social media users suggested that Mahathir was indirectly issuing rare praise at the Najib administration, which he used to loathe.

Others said Mahathir should have focussed on public transport instead of pursuing a national car policy during his first 22 years as prime minister and urged him to experience the MRT during peak hours.

"For a more complete experience, I suggest that Tun board a bus from his residence until the nearest train station.

"Only then can that be a fair comparison with developed nations," wrote another social media user.

The Serdang Raya MRT station is the nearest to Mahathir's residence in Seri Kembangan, Selangor. - Mkini