Some 96 companies shortlisted for various packages worth RM9bil

KUALA LUMPUR: The RM9bil light rail transit line three (LRT 3) project from Bandar Utama to Johan Setia, Klang will kick off this month, with some 96 companies being shortlisted for the various jobs.

To build the 37km rail infrastructure that comprises stations, viaducts, as well as park and ride facilities, a total of 44 companies have been shortlisted and have been broken up into two segments. A total of 22 companies have been shortlisted to bid for the large infrastructure jobs that would be awarded on a competitive basis.

Another 22 companies have been shortlisted on a restricted tender basis among majority bumiputera-owned companies. Also, a total of eight companies have been shortlisted for the tunnelling portion, which will span across two kilometres.

The system works have been broken up into four different categories, including the rolling stocks that are mainly dominated by international players.

Almost all the familiar construction ‘big boys’ have been shortlisted for the main infrastructure job.

Among them are Gamuda Bhd , Bina Puri Holdings Bhd , Crest Builder Holdings Bhd , WCT Bhd , IJM Corp Bhd , Naza Engineering, Muhibbah Engineering (M) Bhd and Sunway Construction Group Bhd , among others.

The companies qualified to tender for the tunnelling job, which is believed to be one of the most lucrative work packages, are Gamuda, IJM, Muhibbah Engineering, Naza Engineering, Putra Perdana Construction, Sunway Construction, Trans Resources Corp and WCT Bhd.

In terms of tunnelling experience, Gamuda has worked on a larger scale project. Gamuda and its joint-venture partner MMC Corp Bhd was given the mandate for the RM8.3bil tunnelling project for the mass rapid transit (MRT) line one connecting Sungai Buloh and Kajang.

The joint-venture of Gamuda and MMC has also won the underground works in the MRT line two between Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya worth RM15.47bil. It is the single largest package awarded so far for the MRT Line 2 project.

IJM also has tunnelling experience being part of a consortium that won a contract worth RM1.3bil for the Pahang-Selangor raw water tunnel project.

As the pre-qualified tenderers have been shortlisted, LRT 3 project owner Prasarana Malaysia Bhd together with the project delivery partner, Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd and George Kent Bhd, will now initiate the tendering process for the LRT 3.

The tender period will start from this month onwards.

According to Prasarana Malaysia Bhd president and group chief executive officer Datuk Azmi Abdul Aziz, they are still working on the work packages now.

“Pre-qualification is no guarantee of work and it is the responsibility of tenderers to ensure that all of the documents submitted are true, accurate, legitimate and complete as per requirements stated in the tender document.

“If any information is found to be to the contrary, Prasarana reserves the right to disqualify the applicants,” Azmi told reporters at a briefing on the qualified applicants yesterday.

Azmi also reiterated Prasarana’s commitment to an open, transparent and honest tender process for the LRT 3.

“We are firm in our commitment that all parties will adhere to high standards of integrity throughout the execution of the project.

“I would want to take this opportunity to wish all aspiring bidders all the best for the tendering process. Successful bidders will play an important role in realising the LRT 3 aspiration – to extend connectivity to the Western Corridor of Greater Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley. The LRT3 will be a vital addition of the Urban Rail Development Plan (URDP),” Azmi said.

According to earlier news report, the actual awarding of contracts of LRT 3 would start from the third quarter of this year onwards and Azmi was reported saying Prasarana would try to offer as many packages as possible in ensuring optimal participation from as many companies as possible.

The LRT 3 aims to connect two million people between Bandar Utama and Klang by 2020. It will have 27 stations with 10 park and ride facilities.