Rafizi says it again, MRT could cost RM100 billion

PKR leader says he got that figure by multiplying cost of each kilometre by projected length.

(FMT) – PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli is standing by his claim that the cost of the MRT could reach RM100 billion, adding that a statement by Prime Minister Najib Razak only confirms his fears.

In a statement, Rafizi referred to Najib’s statement during the launch of Phase 1 of the MRT line from Sungai Buloh to Kajang on Thursday. Najib said RM2 billion had been saved from the RM21 billion cost.

Rafizi said people failed to understand that the RM21 billion figure is only for Phase 1 of the MRT, covering 21km and 12 stations.

Pro-Umno bloggers had attacked him for his claim that the MRT could end up costing RM100 billion.

“It is clear they do not understand the details of the 141km MRT project, which was first announced by Najib in 2010,” responded Rafizi.

He said the government had in previous reports stated that the entire project would cost around RM40 billion and this was echoed by Najib in Dewan Negara when announcing the 2011 Budget.

“The RM21 billion announced by Najib is only for 21km of the 141km or 15% of the total project.”

He said a simple calculation based on the cost of Phase 1 per km would mean each kilometre would cost RM1 billion.

That meant that if it cost RM21 billion for 21km, the remaining 120km would cost RM120 billion. He added that Najib’s statement that RM2 billion had been saved did not dispel fears that the MRT project could end up costing RM100 billion.

“In coming press statements, I will show that the cost of the entire MRT project — which comprises three lines, including one built underground — will surely cost beyond RM100 billion,” he promised.

With the second phase, the MRT line from Sungai Buloh to Kajang will cover a distance of 51km with 31 stations.