02/07/2025

WEDNESDAY | JULY 2, 2025

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PM gives thumbs up to revamped KLIA aerotrain o Full operations resumed after an RM456m overhaul, part of efforts to make airport a premier regional hub

Anwar leaves for three-nation visit

SEPANG: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim embarked on a visit to Italy, France and Brazil yesterday. A Malaysia Airlines chartered flight carrying him and the Malaysian delegation departed from the KL International Airport at 2.15pm. The three-nation visit kicks-off with a three day official visit to Italy. The visits to major economic hubs – Rome, Paris and Rio de Janeiro – aim to strengthen Malaysia’s diplomatic ties and trade relations with the respective nations. These markets collectively recorded a bilateral trade value of RM50.91 billion last year. Anwar is accompanied by a business delegation comprising representatives from major Malaysian corporations and enterprises, including Petronas, Khazanah Nasional Bhd, Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Maybank, FGV, YTL Power and Sunway. Anwar’s inaugural visit to Italy is being undertaken at the invitation of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Malaysia’s Ambassador to Italy Datuk Zahid Rastam said the visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations between the countries across a wide range of sectors. In Rome, Anwar will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Energy Transition and Water Transformation Deputy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir. In Paris, Anwar is scheduled to meet with President Emmanuel Macron, and discussions are expected to focus on trade, technology and education. In addition to a roundtable with France’s industrial giants, he will engage with local Muslim leaders, meet Malaysian citizens and deliver a public lecture at Sorbonne University on July 4. After the Paris stopover, Anwar will be in Rio de Janeiro to attend the 17th BRICS Summit. – Bernama

connecting through the satellite terminal which hosts most of the airport’s long-haul carriers. A KLIA icon since 1998, the aerotrain had come under fire in recent years due to frequent breakdowns, particularly a highly publicised failure in March 2023 that left passengers stranded and forced MAHB to deploy shuttle buses. The incident sparked public outcry, a formal apology from MAHB and intervention by the Transport Ministry. Loke subsequently ordered an urgent upgrade of the ageing system and demanded better service standards. In response, MAHB suspended the aerotrain in early 2023 and fast-tracked the procurement and installation of the new Alstom units, delivering on its commitment to restore reliable rail service within two years. With operations now fully restored, MAHB said the revamped aerotrain would bolster KLIA’s readiness for rising passenger volumes ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026, and support the airport’s full recovery to pre-pandemic levels. including automotive, smartwatches and smartphones rely on satellite technology for GPS, communications and more.” On Feb 15 last year, it was reported that Malaysia was racing against time in its bid to establish the first rocket launch site in Southeast Asia. Chang was quoted as saying that Malaysia has several advantages in building such a facility, including being located outside earthquake zones and having no active volcanoes, among others. – Bernama

SEPANG: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim took a ride on the newly upgraded KL International Airport (KLIA) Aerotrain during a walkabout at Terminal 1 of KLIA yesterday. Describing the ride, he said it was “good… faster than before”. He was accompanied by Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani and senior MAHB officials. Anwar travelled from the contact pier to the satellite building aboard the fully modernised, driverless train, and was later briefed on the system’s upgrades under MAHB’s Airport Regeneration Plan. The aerotrain resumed full operations yesterday morning after an RM456 million overhaul, part of a larger RM742 million initiative to future-proof KLIA as a premier

regional hub. Now powered by Alstom Innovia APM 300R train sets, each three-car unit can carry up to 270 passengers and reach speeds of 56kph, cutting travel time between the main and satellite terminals to under three minutes. The new system features advanced condition-monitoring technology aimed at reducing breakdowns, improving operational efficiency and enhancing passenger comfort. Mohd Izani said the upgraded aerotrain underwent six months of rigorous technical and safety testing by the Land Public Transport Agency from January to June 2025 before being cleared for service, Bernama reported. KLIA Terminal 1 currently sees over 100,000 passenger movements daily, with the aerotrain serving as a critical link, especially for international transit passengers

Suitable locations for rocket launch site being identified SERI ISKANDAR: The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry is conducting a preliminary feasibility study on proposals from Sabah and Pahang to identify suitable locations in the two states for the development of a rocket launch site. “There are many aspects that we need to examine in this feasibility study. So, it will take time,” he said after the fifth edition of the ministry’s Tech Talks programme at Universiti Teknologi Petronas on Monday. many sectors

Chang expressed hope that construction work for the rocket launch site could begin as early as 2026. “In fact, demand for satellite launches is increasing and the number of existing launch sites worldwide is no longer sufficient. “In the past, satellites were mainly needed for communication and television but now

Its minister Chang Lih Kang said the study would take some time as it requires evaluation from multiple angles. “So far, two states have expressed interest and submitted their applications – Sabah and Pahang. We are currently conducting a feasibility study on their proposals.

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com New agency chief to focus on curbing cross-border crimes

PUTRAJAYA: Commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain officially reported for duty yesterday as the new director-general of the Malaysia Border Control and Protection Agency, amid expectations of stronger border enforcement. Replacing the now-defunct Malaysian Border Security Agency, the new agency carries an expanded mandate that includes overseeing enforcement at the country’s land, sea and air entry points. Under Mohd Shuhaily’s leadership, the agency is expected to accelerate efforts in curbing cross border crimes, improving operational efficiency and enhancing collaboration among enforcement bodies such as the police, immigration and maritime authorities. In his first remarks as the agency’s head, Mohd Shuhaily emphasised urgency in carrying out administrative reforms and directives set by the Home Ministry. “My contract is only for two years and if you break that down into quarters, I only have eight to fulfil everything that’s expected of me. I intend to make full use of the time I have.” He thanked the media for its continued support and indicated that a clearer direction would emerge following his scheduled internal briefing session with the agency’s senior officials. “I was just given several directives by the ministry, including administrative matters that must be resolved quickly. “I recognise familiar faces from the Immigration Department and the police force.

Mohd Shuhaily on his first day at work, flanked by the agency’s deputy director-general Ismail Mokhtar (left) and deputy director-general (Operations) Mohd Jasmi Mohd Juwahir in Putrajaya yesterday. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

University/APIIT and a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. He began his career in 1997 as a Cadet Officer and later served in senior roles, including as Special Branch Division head at Bukit Aman, Penang police chief and Kuala Lumpur police chief.

delivery and the integrity of enforcement at national entry points. The 53-year-old brings more than 28 years of experience in law enforcement. He holds a BA (Hons) in International Relations from the International Islamic University Malaysia, a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration from Staffordshire

Insya-Allah, our task is to ensure that the Malaysia Border Control and Protection Agency is not just an agency on paper, but one that is physically visible and impactful, in line with the government’s expectations.” Mohd Shuhaily’s appointment aligns with the Madani government’s reform goals, and his leadership is expected to strengthen service