The king arrived at the station at 7.45am and was welcomed by transport minister Loke Siew Fook, deputy transport minister Hasbi Habibollah, and chief secretary to the government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.

Following the ETS3 special launching ceremony, Sultan Ibrahim personally took the controls of the ETS3 train, which is capable of reaching operating speeds of up to 140 km/h, for a journey to Kluang in Johor.

The trip is expected to take approximately three hours and 30 minutes.

After arriving in Kluang, Sultan Ibrahim officiated the opening of the Mahkota Rail Park, a landmark 2.8km public park built beneath the viaduct alignment of the Gemas–Johor Bahru electric double track project.

SIPP-YTL JV, the local main contractor for the Gemas–Johor Bahru electric double track project, sponsored the Mahkota Rail Park in conjunction with YTL Corporation Berhad’s 70th anniversary.

SIPP-YTL managing director Yeoh Seok Hong said the park symbolises YTL’s appreciation for the Kluang community and recognises the town’s identity as a “Railway Town” since 1909.

“SIPP-YTL is honoured to contribute to this world-class infrastructure project with our expertise,” he said.

Loke had earlier said that both sets of ETS3 Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trains for the southern route to Johor Bahru Sentral are undergoing technical tests and, if successful, will begin operations this month.