PH weighs future of Melaka's RM16.5m monorail

MELAKA – Pakatan Harapan (PH) is weighing whether to revive or terminate Melaka's RM16.5 million monorail project if the coalition returns to power, with its future depending on the safety of the ageing structures and the availability of fresh investment.

Melaka PH chairman Datuk Seri Adly Zahari said the project could either be revived through new investment or terminated if its existing structures were deemed unsafe.

He said leaving abandoned projects unresolved for years was unacceptable, particularly when they posed safety concerns and affected Melaka's reputation as a tourist destination.

"We must decide whether the project can be continued by opening it up to new investment or whether it should be terminated.

"If there is new investment, we must first assess whether the existing structures are safe and can still be used.

"If the structures can no longer be used and there are safety concerns, then we have no choice but to terminate the project," he told a press conference here on Monday.

Adly said the monorail, which cost approximately RM16.5 million to develop, highlighted the need for greater accountability in managing public funds.

He said the amount did not include subsequent maintenance expenditure.

"The people have the right to know how much money has been spent on each project, where the money went and who is responsible for rehabilitating it," he said.

Adly stressed that PH was not interested in blaming previous administrations but wanted a clear plan to resolve abandoned projects.

"We are not interested in blaming anyone. What matters is that every abandoned project must have a clear direction," he said.

He said the monorail's location in Melaka's main tourism area made its future particularly important.

"We cannot simply leave abandoned projects untouched for more than 10 years.

"Ultimately, there are safety implications, and some of these structures are located right in the heart of Melaka's tourism area," he said.

The 1.6km Melaka monorail, connecting Taman Rempah and the Hang Tuah station near Jalan Bunga Raya, was launched in October 2010 as a tourist attraction along the Melaka River.

However, the service was plagued by technical problems, including incidents in which passengers were stranded, before operations were suspended.

Efforts were subsequently made to revive the service, including plans to resume operations in late 2017.

In September 2021, the Melaka State Legislative Assembly was told that the monorail operator's contract had been terminated over breaches of its agreement, including maintenance and safety requirements.

Adly said the same scrutiny should apply to other abandoned developments in Melaka, including the Arab City project.

"Public funds must be protected, and whoever governs Melaka must have a clear plan for dealing with these abandoned projects.

"The same standards must apply to everyone, including Pakatan Harapan itself," he said. –THE STAR