Gemas-JB PLBE implementation to be growth catalyst for Segamat, Johor (Updated)

SEGAMAT: Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said the implementation of the Gemas to Johor Bahru electric double-tracking railway project will become a catalyst to further develop and transform Segamat district and Johor as a whole.
The Prime Minister said despite the challenges in the initial stages, the government would give priority to the project in an ongoing effort to improve the quality of public transport.
"That's why we give priority to this project and although there are certain challenges initially, we have reached the implementation stage.
"This project will cover 197km of rail and pass through 11 stations and I'm confident economic activities will be further boosted," he said when performing the groundbreaking of the Gemas-Johor Baru PLBE project here today.
Najib, who is also Finance Minister, said he also believed the project would bring many benefits, including enhancing bilateral ties between Malaysia and China, especially economically.
"Our ties (Malaysia and China) and economic relations will be further strengthened with the implementation of this project," he said.
Apart from that, 99% of the PLBE project works would involve local contractors, providing opportunities and economic spillovers to the locals, said Najib.
Besides benefiting consumers, he said travelling from Johor Baru to Kuala Lumpur Sentral would take only four hours while travelling to Johor Baru to Padang Besar at a distance of 915.7km only took nine hours by the Electric Rail Service (ETS).
Also present at the event were Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, who is also Segamat MP.
The Gemas to Johor Bahru PLBE which connects the southern part of Peninsular Malaysia complements the network systems – the Ipoh to Padang Besar sector, Rawang to Ipoh sector, Klang Valley sector and Seremban to Gemas sector – of the double tracking rail system.
Among the new stations to be built are at Bandar Segamat, Labis, Bekok, Paloh, Bandar Kluang, Renggam, Layang-Layang, Kulai and Kempas Baru. — Bernama