KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 — Public-private partnerships (PPP) should be enhanced as this system has been proven to be effective as a catalyst for Malaysia’s development, and its implementation has provided many benefits to the government and the people.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that, in fact, the PPP projects have succeeded in helping to save government spending and simultaneously provided better public facilities in a shorter period.
He made the remarks during the officiation of the Menara Sentral RAC’s opening today.
Menara Sentral RAC is a joint venture project between the Rail Assets Corporation (RAC) and Arah Asas Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of YTL Corporation Bhd.
“This is also a historic moment for the nation’s railway industry landscape and will enable RAC to become more dynamic and efficient in generating sustainable income.
“Through this cooperation, we can realise a dream that will channel back the proceeds to the development of Malaysia’s railway sector,” Loke said.
The presence of this new building will hopefully reignite the RAC workforce’s desire to continue striving for the development of the country’s railway industry.
“Joint-venture projects such as this should be enhanced fittingly with RAC’s functions as a manager and owner of railway assets. RAC must progress beyond its routine business activities such as leasing and leasing of existing railway land,” he said.
A statement by the RAC said the RAC Central Tower was built on 0.18 hectares for RM125 million.
“With the construction of this tower, RAC can generate continuous income for the long term through office space leasing, as well as commercial and food gallery leasing, thereby contributing to the development and redevelopment of infrastructure and facilities in the rail sector in the country.
“The design of this tower incorporates modern and environmentally friendly features in terms of building design and construction, making it eligible for the Green Building Index Certification (GBI),” it said.
RAC expects to generate around RM7 million per year from the leasing of all office spaces, commercial spaces, and the food gallery provided.
The opening event was also attended Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah, Transport Ministry secretary-general cum RAC chairman of the board of directors Datuk Jana Santhiran Muniayan, Public Private Partnership Unit (UKAS) director-general Datuk Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, RAC chief executive officer Datuk Azhar Ahmad, and Kuala Lumpur City Hall Urban Transportation director Sugumaran S. Shanmugam.
— Bernama
