AS the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Project is less than 3 weeks away from the full completion of the MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang (SBK) Line, Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) Chairman who is also the Chief Secretary to the Government of Malaysia, Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Ali Hamsa made a surprise visit to the Muzium Negara MRT Station on 29 June 2017.

Ali started the visit from KL Sentral, where he was welcomed and accompanied by MRT SBK Line Project Director Mr Marcus Karakashian to walk over to the station via the pedestrian link bridge.

Marcus led Ali and his delegation of individuals from Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad (MRCB) and MyHSR Corp.

The pedestrian link bridge that was built by MRCB impressed the Chairman since the connectivity to the nearby Hilton and Le Méridien hotels were easily accessible. This will increase the potential ridership for the MRT service for those who reside in the respective hotels.

Speaking on the pedestrian link bridge, MRCB Group Managing Director Tan Sri Mohd Salim Fateh Din highlighted to Ali that MRCB had managed to cut the cost of constructing it. The earlier proposal of having an underground link bridge was substituted with an elevated bridge which cut the cost by RM330 million.

Ali also took a walk to the pedestrian link bridge that links the Muzium Negara MRT Station to the bridge near The St Regis Kuala Lumpur. He was duly impressed with the landscaping and turfing works done to beautify the National Museum which is also the frontage to one of the entrances to the station.

A ride to the Kajang MRT Station was then taken by the Chairman and he disembarked at both Merdeka and Tun Razak Exchange MRT stations.

Specially designed benches at these stations were showcased to the attendees.  They were the products of students who emerged victorious during the MRT Bench Design Competition.

The visit ended with Marcus giving Ali a tour of the Kajang Station and highlighted the integration between the MRT and KTM services.