URGENCY NEEDED: ONN HAFIZ
On Tuesday, Onn Hafiz said that the ART project was more than just “another infrastructure project”.
“I believe the federal government’s commitment and urgency in implementing this project will have a tremendous impact on the people of Johor, particularly in reducing congestion and improving daily mobility.
“This is the kind of federal intervention that can truly be felt, appreciated and remembered by the people,” he said.
Onn Hafiz drew comparison to Penang’s Mutiara Line Light Rapid Transit (LRT) project – which carries a budget ceiling of RM16.8 billion and has entered the construction phase – and said that Johor deserved “equal attention” from the federal government.
“We are happy for Penang because every state deserves quality public transport infrastructure. However, we also hope Johor’s needs will receive the same level of attention and priority,” he said.
Penang is a state controlled by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, of which Loke’s Democratic Action Party (DAP) is a component party. Meanwhile, Johor had been held by the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition prior to the dissolution of its state legislative assembly earlier this month.
PH is the largest coalition within Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government.
The event in Kulai on Tuesday was held amid a backdrop of a war of words between Onn Hafiz and DAP chief Loke, which include squabbles related to invitations to events by the transport ministry and the Johor state government’s involvement in federal transport initiatives.
It also follows Onn Hafiz’s remarks at a BN machinery launch on Jun 7 when he said that he would rather give up the chief minister’s post than sit at the same table with DAP.
Last week, Onn Hafiz called on the federal government to expedite the ART project during a visit to Malaysian media company Media Prima Berhad.
“Sometimes when I speak out (on this matter), I am seen as being pushy, but I am pushing with reason,” he had said then, as reported by Malaysian Malay-language outlet Berita Harian.
