MMC-Gamuda rail project to create 150,000 jobs

ABOUT 150,000 jobs will be created under the RM12.5 billion electrified double-tracking railway project over the next five years.

The main contractor, an MMC Corp Bhd and Gamuda Bhd joint venture, expects the project, which involves laying parallel railway lines over 329km from Ipoh to Padang Besar, to be completed on time in 2013.

About five per cent of the project has been done.

"In addition to hiring 5,000 professionals and 12,000 sub-professional staff, the project will also see over 100,000 skilled and unskilled workers engaged," MMC-Gamuda JV director Datuk Azmi Mat Nor told a media briefing in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, yesterday.

He said since the company took possession of the sites across Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis on January 8, work has been on schedule.

MMC-Gamuda will brief the state governments and local authorities on the progress of the project in their respective states and its benefits.

The infrastructure works in the four northern states include over 196km of railway tracks, stations, depots, halts, yards and bridges, while the system works comprise the relocation of existing services, electrification systems, signalling and communication systems.

MMC-Gamuda has given out RM3 billion worth of construction packages.

"Of the total, up to RM1.6 billion has been awarded to Bumiputera contractors that fulfilled three main criteria of being genuine and having hands-on management experience, capable contractors that have positive track records for both financial and technical, and able to offer competitive pricing via a tender system," Azmi added.

By New Straits Times (by Marina Emmanuel)