(Johor, 14th) After Johor caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz stated that he had not yet received an invitation from the Ministry of Transport, Minister of Transport Anthony Loke has today officially sent a letter, inviting Onn Hafiz to Kulai, Johor next Tuesday (16th) to take the inaugural commuter train ride together!
Anthony Loke today responded to Onn Hafiz on Facebook, saying: “Thank you for your lengthy reply and for accepting my invitation. The invitation will be delivered to your (Menteri Besar’s office) very soon. See you in Kulai on Tuesday, and please also give a brief speech on stage at that time.”
According to reports, Anthony Loke earlier publicly invited Onn Hafiz to attend the launch of the Kulai directly to Johor Bahru South commuter train service, and to experience the service together on the train.
Onn Hafiz subsequently posted, stressing that he was willing to attend the event, but had not yet received any official invitation letter from the Ministry of Transport, and that since July 2023, the Ministry had not invited him or relevant executive councillors to a number of activities held in Johor.
In response, Anthony Loke listed a number of events both parties had attended, refuting Onn Hafiz’s claim.
“Let me remind you (Onn Hafiz) a little. You yourself or your executive councillors have already attended several Ministry of Transport events in Johor, including on January 11 last year, the launch of the Malaysia-Singapore RTS by Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar, as well as this year’s ceremony where the first RTS train arrived in Singapore and was received by the Malaysian and Singaporean Transport Ministers.”
“In addition, Transport Ministry events you attended include: on August 23 last year, the launch of the ETS 3 Double Track Electric Train by King Sultan Ibrahim; and on December 11, the completion and opening ceremony of the Gemas to Johor Bahru double-track electric train project.”
Anthony Loke added that, in fact, the Johor executive councillor in charge of transport affairs had already taken part in the commuter train project starting from March 3 this year.
“Although the project was not finalised at that time, and the Ministry of Transport had not been informed, I did not complain.”
The minister also made a subtle jab, saying he believes that due to the busy election season, the caretaker Menteri Besar might inevitably forget some things.
“After all, working visits are different from official ceremonies. If it was just me coming for a working visit, I wouldn't want to bother the Menteri Besar.”