PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS SHOULD BE ENHANCED TO BENEFIT GOVT, PUBLIC

KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 (Bernama) -- Public-private partnerships (PPP) should be enhanced as this system has been proven to be effective as a catalyst for the country's development, and its implementation has provided many benefits to the government and the people.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said, in fact, the PPP projects have succeeded in helping to save government spending and at the same time, provide better public facilities in a shorter period.

 He said this when officiating the opening of the Menara Sentral RAC here today.

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The Menara Sentral RAC is a joint-venture project between the Rail Assets Corporation (RAC) and Arah Asas Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of YTL Corporation Bhd.

"This is also a historic moment for the nation’s railway industry landscape and will enable RAC to become more dynamic and efficient in generating sustainable income.

"Through this cooperation, we can realise a dream that will channel back the proceeds to the development of Malaysia's railway sector," he said.

Loke said the presence of this new building will hopefully reignite the spirit of the RAC workforce to continue striving for the development of the country's railway industry.

"Joint-venture projects such as this should be enhanced fittingly with the functions of RAC as a manager and owner of railway assets. RAC must progress beyond its routine business activities such as leasing and leasing of existing railway land," he added.

 In a press release issued by RAC, the RAC Central Tower was built on an area of ​​0.18 hectares at a cost of RM125 million.

 "With the construction of this tower, RAC is able to generate continuous income for the long term through office space leasing, commercial and food gallery leasing, thereby contributing to the development and redevelopment of infrastructure and facilities in the rail sector in the country.

"The design of this tower incorporates modern and environmentally friendly features in terms of building design and construction, making it eligible for the Green Building Index Certification (GBI)," according to the statement.

RAC expects to generate around RM7 million per year from the leasing of all office spaces, commercial spaces, and the food gallery provided.

The opening event was also attended Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah; Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Jana Santhiran Muniayan who is also RAC chairman of the Board of Directors; Public Private Partnership Unit (UKAS) director-general Datuk Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar; RAC chief executive officer Datuk Azhar Ahmad; and Kuala Lumpur City Hall Urban Transportation director Sugumaran S. Shanmugam.

-- BERNAMA