In an article published in Asia Today, he said public transportation was key to promoting growth as it increased connectivity.
“The expansion of the transportation network in Malaysia will certainly trigger more economic multipliers.
“In the short term, the construction works for the identified infrastructure projects would provide employment opportunities.
“In the long term, the development of new townships and commercial centres alongside the connected areas will spur economic activities.
“Consequently, there will be more demand for housing and amenities such as hospitals,” he said in the article.
Shahril said Malaysia had been far-sighted in ensuring that only infrastructure projects that could enable faster economic growth and development, and bring great benefit to the people, were pushed forward.
He said this was important to the country’s national goals to become a developed nation with a high quality of life for its people.
“For instance, the Pan Borneo Highway, which is being built at a cost of RM27 billion, will provide a more expansive connection for the states of Sarawak and Sabah with Brunei,” Shahril said.
The Pan Borneo Highway project was announced in 2013. Construction work on the highway has begun, and the 1,060km highway is expected to be completed in 2022.
Shahril said the highway would help to accelerate social and economic growth in Sabah and Sarawak, including boosting tourism and bringing much needed goods and services to hard-to-reach places.
He said the Mass Rapid Transit Line (MRT), a rail network that brings expanded connectivity within Greater Kuala Lumpur, would significantly elevate the country’s public transportation system.
“The MRT, which is supported by feeder bus services, will connect those travelling within the city to the fringes of the capital more efficiently.”
On the high-speed rail (HSR) project that will link Malaysia and Singapore, Shahril said it would cut down travel time from four hours by road to just 90 minutes.
The east coast, meanwhile, is expected to benefit from improved connectivity through the construction of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) that will run from Port Klang to Pengkalan Kubor.