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October 19, 2009 22:42 PM

Prasarana Called To Review RapidKL's Role

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd (Prasarana) has been urged to review the role of Rangkaian Pengangkutan Integrasi Deras Sdn Bhd (RapidKL) as the operator of its assets, namely buses and the Light Rail Transit System.

The call was made in the Auditor General Report 2008 released here Monday.

It will enable, Prasarana, a company fully owned by the government, decide on the alternative measures that can be taken after having found RapidKL incapable of taking care of the cost of maintaining the buses and rail which covers the routine, preventive, predictive, overhaul and refurbishment works, the report said.

"The financial status of Prasarana, which recorded losses for three years (2005-2007), will become more critical when it is forced to bear the cost of maintenance which is supposed to be taken care by RapidKL," the report said.

An audit review of three maintenance contracts amounting to RM10.5 million was found to be borne by Prasarana, and these included RM5.8 million for the refurbishment of 30 units of buses, RM4.2 million for the refurbishment of 142 air-conditioned train compartments, and RM0.5 million for the overhaul and servicing of 210 units of buses.

Prasarana's role in the management of public transportation infrastructure started in August 2002 when it was given the responsibility of taking over and managing the bus transportation and LRT system from 12 other transportation companies, in the Klang Valley area and Penang.

The company then appointed RapidKL in December 2004 and RapidPenang in August 2007 as the operator of its assets.

-- BERNAMA

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