KLANG, January 23 — Transport Minister Anthony Loke clarified today that the reappointment of Pestech Technology Sdn Bhd, in collaboration with IJM Construction Sdn Bhd, for the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) aerotrains project has not been influenced by the government. Minister Loke emphasized that the contract was awarded by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) and falls entirely under their jurisdiction. Although the ministry is represented on MAHB’s board of directors, Loke asserted that the government had not intervened in the contract awarding process.
Addressing concerns about the project’s increased expenses, totaling approximately 15 percent, Minister Loke directed inquiries to MAHB, stating, “As far as cost is concerned, I think MAHB can answer that.” The decision to finalize the project, in collaboration with Alstom Transport Systems (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd and the joint venture of IJM Construction Sdn Bhd and Pestech Technology, comes after MAHB terminated Pestech’s previous contract for the aerotrain project last year. The termination was attributed to prolonged delays in the project’s delivery, which was initially valued at RM742.95 million.
