THE prime minister hopes that the introduction of the Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family) pass by Prasarana Malaysia Berhad will encourage people to use public transport for leisure or to visit the various tourist attractions in the Klang Valley.

Ismail Sabri Yaakob said at only RM15, the travel pass enables four people in a group to enjoy one-day unlimited rides on Prasarana buses and trains on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays.

The services include the light rail transit, mass rapid transit, monorail and Bus Rapid Transit.

“This means that each person in the group of four will have to pay only RM3.75 to use rail and bus services operated by Rapid KL all day long,” Ismail said when launching the travel pass in Kuala Lumpur today.

“This initiative is aimed at encouraging Malaysian families to go out and spend quality time with their loved ones, either to go to the malls or just to visit the many tourist attractions along the public transport network in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.”

Also present were Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong, Federal Territories Minister Shahidan Kassim and Prasarana chairman Jamaludin Ibrahim.

Ismail said convenient, efficient and interconnected public transport is vital for Keluarga Malaysia’s mobility.

“Public transport is no exception in playing an important role in ensuring the success of Keluarga Malaysia because apart from being a tool for national unity, it also spurs economic growth,” he said.

Ismail also announced the transit package for small and medium enterprise owners, which will be implemented by Prasarana subsidiary, Prasarana Integrated Development Sdn Bhd (PRIDE) starting March next year, that will allow SME owners to conduct business at eight LRT stations along the Kelana Jaya line.

The stations are Subang Alam, Alam Sutera, Putra Height, Puchong Industrial Park, Awan Besar, IOI Puchong Jaya, Plaza Rakyat and SS18.

“Under the package, 20 retail lots, each measuring 80-400 sq ft, will be offered to SME owners through balloting,” Ismail said.

He said the successful applicants will also enjoy a special rent structure for a year, including a three-month exemption. The details will be announced by PRIDE soon.

“I also want to take this opportunity to encourage SME owners to participate and help boost the economy so as to bring prosperity and benefits to all members of the Malaysian Family,” he said.

Ismail also praised Prasarana for introducing various initiatives to help small entrepreneurs to increase their sales during the Covid-19 epidemic.

He said this includes using its media platforms to promote food-based SME products along the Rapid KL rail and bus routes as well as at the stations and hubs.

“Thank you, Prasarana, for carrying out your corporate social responsibility to help the entrepreneurs to resume their business and revive the economy, which has been affected by the epidemic,” he said.

Ismail also gave an assurance that the government will remain committed to doing its level best to ensure the well-being of the people under the concept of Keluarga Malaysia. – Bernama, November 22, 2021.