Selangor Sultan credits Najib for LRT3, says project restored under Anwar, faults Lim Guan Eng over project cuts

Selangor Sultan credits Najib for LRT3, says project restored under Anwar, faults Lim Guan Eng over project cuts



In a statement marking the opening of the Shah Alam LRT3 line, the Selangor Sultan credited Datuk Seri Najib Razak for approving the project following his request in 2015, and praised Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for continuing the project and restoring five previously cancelled stations. — Picture via Facebook/Selangor Royal Office

Wednesday, 01 Jul 2026 5:22 PM MYT


SHAH ALAM, July 1 — The Sultan of Selangor today credited former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak with approving the Shah Alam LRT3 project at his request in 2015, said the subsequent Pakatan Harapan administration had reduced its scope, and praised Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for restoring key elements of the project.

In a statement issued to mark the opening of the Shah Alam LRT3 line, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah said the rail project was conceived to ease chronic traffic congestion faced by commuters travelling between Klang, Shah Alam and Kuala Lumpur.

“First and foremost, I would like to give credit to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for heeding my decree that a rail transport facility be built connecting Klang, Shah Alam and Kuala Lumpur,” the Sultan said.

The Ruler said he first raised the proposal with Najib during a breaking-of-fast gathering at the former prime minister’s residence in 2015.

“I still remember informing Datuk Seri Najib Razak of this during a breaking-of-fast event at his house in 2015, and he accepted my proposal without hesitation,” he said.

The Sultan said the request followed numerous letters he had received from housewives describing how their husbands routinely returned home late because of heavy congestion, particularly along the Federal Highway.

He added that, at the time, Klang had only two bridges crossing the Klang River, worsening traffic bottlenecks during peak hours.


He also noted that Najib’s administration abolished the Batu Tiga and Sungai Rasau toll plazas in 2018 as an immediate measure to help ease congestion.

The Sultan said the LRT3 project was delayed for more than 18 months following the change of federal government in 2018, before facing a further 19-month setback due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said the Finance Ministry under then finance minister Lim Guan Eng, together with his adviser Tony Phua, had reduced the project’s investment cost after describing it as a “mega project”.

“I wish to emphasise that this is not a mega project and not a project for prestige, but a project for the interests and welfare of my people,” the Sultan said.

He also said Lim and Phua “did not understand the purpose of the LRT3 project to fulfil the needs and aspirations of the people”.

According to the Sultan, the Finance Ministry under Lim Guan Eng also reduced the size of each station, cut the number of train carriages and cancelled five proposed stations along the alignment.

The Sultan credited Anwar, who also serves as the current finance minister, with continuing the project after taking office and reinstating the five cancelled stations.

“Alhamdulillah, when Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim assumed the posts of prime minister and finance minister, he agreed to continue the project by reinstating the five stations that had been cancelled,” he said.

The Sultan added that Anwar had also agreed to build affordable housing around the stations and along the LRT3 corridor, while directing that there should be no further obstacles to the project’s implementation.

“I thank and congratulate Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” he said.

The ruler also cautioned against attempts by any party to claim sole responsibility for the completion of the line.

“I do not want any party to take the opportunity to claim that the successful implementation of the LRT3 project is solely the result of its own efforts,” he said.

“The reality is that this project is the result of continuous planning, commitment and cooperation by various parties across several administrations for the benefit of the people of Selangor.”

The Sultan said he hoped the new rail line would reduce the number of vehicles on the road while providing faster, safer and more comfortable travel for commuters, particularly those living in Klang and Shah Alam who work in Kuala Lumpur.

He also urged Prasarana Malaysia Bhd to maintain the LRT3 line properly so it could continue operating smoothly.

The Shah Alam LRT3 line began operations on Monday, connecting Bandar Utama in Petaling Jaya with Johan Setia in Klang through 20 stations, and offering seamless transfers to the Kajang and Kelana Jaya Lines.

The line is intended to improve public transport connectivity across western Selangor while easing congestion on one of the country’s busiest commuter corridors.

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Should HRH criticise Guanee? I find it a bit unusual.