00:00Transport consultant Wan Agilwan Hassan has expressed concern about Malaysia's 10.7 billion
00:09ringgit passenger train leasing agreement with China, saying the financial benefits
00:13it offers may only be short-term.
00:17He cautioned that while the arrangement may offer quick financial relief, it may end up
00:22settling the government with long-term hidden costs, including for maintenance and technological
00:28upgrades resulting in a strain on national resources.
00:32He also said the government should consider the geopolitical risks involved, especially
00:37the ongoing US-China rivalry, adding that it may be unwise to structure a deal dependent
00:42solely on China as the supplier.
00:46Wan Agil suggested that Malaysia adopt a more balanced approach to train management, similar
00:51to that used by France, which has combined new purchases with refurbishing older trains.
00:57Transport consultant Rosli Khan echoed Wan Agil's concerns, saying that the government
01:02should consider limiting its purchase to wagon components and invest in building train coaches
01:07locally as it could reduce the costs involved substantially.
01:12On August 14, Transport Minister Lok Siu Fok announced the acquisition of 62 new passenger
01:18trains for Kereta Pitana Melayu Berhad in a 10.7 billion ringgit deal with payments
01:24to be made over 30 years.
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