Serious concerns need to be raised over the suspension of the airport terminal transit service, the Automated People Mover (APM), otherwise known as the Aerotrain at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). This suspension has gone on for too long; while it began from 2 March 2023, operations are only expected to resume in July 2025. 

The prolonged suspension of the Aerotrain has now exceeded two years. This has caused significant inconvenience to passengers and international visitors. As one of Malaysia’s most critical international gateways, KLIA is an important gateway for receiving foreign visitors. The prolonged service disruption has caused intangible damage to the country’s image, highlighting poor management and the urgent need for a strategy to restore our national reputation. The professional image and confidence in our national public transportation image must not only be restored, but reformed in order to maintain Malaysia’s image on both an international and national scale.

We urge the Minister of Transport to publicly address the following key issues:

1. Clarify the specific technical and administrative reasons that led to the suspension of the Aerotrain since 2023. 

2. Disclose whether the delay in repairs and service resumption is due to bureaucratic inertia, budget misuse, poor contract management, or oversight failures or any other factors ?

3. What was the total cost incurred for the temporary transport solution implemented during the Aerotrain suspension, and were these expenses funded by taxpayers? If so, this raises a serious concern, as public funds should not have been used without proper justification and transparency.

4. To clarify whether the July 2025 resumption timeline is realistic, and whether a complete reactivation plan is already in place. 

5. Disclose the total repair and reactivation budget, the appointed contractors, technical consultants, and the regulatory oversight mechanism to ensure full transparency and accountability.

6. Publicise Interim Equipment Investments and Financial Accountability

During the Aerotrain suspension period, airport authorities allocated a significant amount of resources to operate substitute shuttle services, including buses and luxury vehicles to accommodate regular passengers, business travelers, and VIPs. 

Based on this information, we urge the Ministry to fully disclose the total costs that these allocations have incurred over the two-year period. This should include substitute transport services, including vehicle leasing or procurement, driver salaries, insurance, maintenance, and operational expenses. Additionally, whether these assets; after the resumption of Aerotrain operations, would be returned, auctioned, repurposed, or reassigned to other government agencies. 

Clarification is also needed on whether these expenditures have been audited, and whether any signs of redundant procurement or resource wastage have been identified. Will accountability be enforced if mismanagement is found?

Proper and clear action plans must be handled with foresight, closing gaps in any possible issues that may arise. 

MCA also proposes a Post-Restart Equipment Management and Preventive Strategy to prevent such incidents from recurring. Adding to this, to truly ensure long-term operational stability, we further urge the Ministry of Transport to:

1. Establish and implement a comprehensive Operational Safety Warranty Program, ensuring that all core Aerotrain components are covered by manufacturer warranties and supported by built-in risk monitoring and automatic shutdown protection mechanisms

2. Implement a structured Preventive Maintenance Strategy that emphasizes scheduled inspections and real-time system monitoring instead of reactive repairs

3. Set up an Independent Technical Oversight Committee to regularly evaluate the performance, maintenance, and budget usage of the Aerotrain system, with transparent reporting to Parliament and the public

4. Strengthen technical training and skill development programs for airport personnel to ensure workforce capabilities are aligned with modern transport infrastructure demands.

Public transportation is not just a part of national infrastructure; it reflects the government’s efficiency and commitment to public welfare. We call on the Minister of Transport to respond to public concern with seriousness, transparency, and accountability by providing a clear recovery plan, improving operational governance, and responsibly managing interim assets and public funds.

The people’s trust must not be taken lightly. Our airport is the country’s gateway—efficiency and safety must go hand in hand. The Kuala Lumpur International Airport Aerotrain must not only be restored, but reformed.

Datuk Ir. Lawrence Low
MCA Vice President
MCA Economic and SME Affairs Committee Chairman

21 June 2025

-MCA Comm-