MARAN: A new railway line to link Kuala Lumpur with Kuantan will be proposed, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
Speaking during a visit to SJK(C) Pei Min here yesterday, Liow said the line would offer an alternative route connecting all major towns in Pahang.
“This will help spur growth in the state and the development of the east coast. The people will stand to benefit, including residents in this new booming town of Sri Jaya,” he said.
Liow was accompanied by Maran MP Datuk Seri Ismail Abdul Muttalib, Luit assemblyman Nur Hidayah Mohd Shahaimi, Pahang MCA chief Senator Datuk Hoh Khai Mun and Maran MCA chief Datuk Chow Liong.
Presently, the single-track east coast line from Gemas to Gua Musang in Kelantan runs through Pahang towns like Chegar Perah, Padang Tengku, Kuala Lipis, Jerantut, Mentakab, Mengkarak, Teriang and Kemayan.
Liow said more development projects were in the pipeline and Sri Jaya, about 70km from Mentakab, was earmarked to be a new township.
“When I was health minister, I approved the building of a new clinic for the people here. Now, I will get Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam to help set up a haemodialysis centre so that kidney patients need not travel so far to Kuantan,” he said.
Earlier in Temerloh, Liow said the ministry would be focusing on getting car passengers, especially those seated in the rear, to belt up this coming festive season. He said the move could help the ministry meet its target of reducing the number of road deaths.
“We managed to bring down the number of fatal accidents from 6,900 in 2013 to 6,600 last year, and our target is to reduce it by 10% every year for the next five years,” he said after opening the new RM1.2mil Temerloh MCA building in Mentakab.
On the MIC leadership tussle, Liow, who is MCA president, said there should be no interference from other component parties.
“We need a strong Barisan Nasional to face the Opposition in the next polls.
“I am confident MIC can resolve its internal problems on its own speedily, and the opposing factions should follow the constitution to ensure the party remains strong,” he said.
In his speech, Liow said that despite losing the Mentakab state seat, the Temerloh MCA division continued to serve the people regardless of race.
“We are on the right track and will continue to defend the rights of the people. This is our commitment,” he said, adding that Barisan would work towards this goal and ensure continued peace and harmony.
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