A FOUR-MEMBER cabinet committee has been formed to relook MMC-Gamuda’s contract to develop the underground portion of the Mass Rapid Transit 2 (MRT2) project, said Mohamed Azmin Ali.

The committee is expected to begin discussions soon, as Putrajaya does not want the project to be delayed.

“Soon, because we don’t want to halt the project. We want to discuss after examining the project, and decide as soon as possible,” the economic affairs minister told reporters after delivering a speech at the China Conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

A report by The Star earlier today, quoting a source, named Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, Works Minister Baru Bian, Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Azmin as the committee members.

“Well, we have to discuss the entire project, in terms of costing, design, details, and certainly, we want to protect our workers,” said Azmin.

“We don’t want any parties to lose jobs.”

On Sunday, Lim announced that Putrajaya would scrap the MMC-Gamuda contract involving the underground portion of the MRT2 project, citing high costs as the reason.

However, following a backlash by MMC-Gamuda staff, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government would review the decision.

The Star’s source said while MMC-Gamuda will most likely agree to a further reduction in costs, it will not reach the level expected by the Finance Ministry.

Yesterday, Damansara MP Tony Pua said MMC-Gamuda directors had refused to slash costs for MRT2’s underground works, leading to the cancellation of the contract. – October 11, 2018.