Anthony Loke Denies Sidelining Johor Government, Reaffirms Invitation to Onn Hafiz for KTM Komuter Selatan Launch
PETALING JAYA: Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook has firmly rejected claims that the Ministry of Transport (MOT) sidelined the Johor government from official programmes, insisting that the state administration has consistently been involved in major transport-related events and projects.
Loke’s response came after Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi suggested that the state government had not been invited to several previous MOT programmes, despite recently receiving a public invitation to attend the launch of the KTM Komuter Selatan service.
In a Facebook post, the Transport Minister thanked Onn Hafiz for responding to his invitation and took the opportunity to remind the Johor leader of several ministry events that he or representatives from the state government had attended.
“Thank you Datuk Onn Hafiz for your detailed response and for your willingness to accept my invitation to ride the KTM Komuter Selatan.
“Allow me to refresh your memory regarding several MOT events attended by you personally or by representatives of the Johor government,” Loke wrote.
He listed a number of key transport initiatives that involved Johor’s participation, including the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link ceremony witnessed by the prime ministers of Malaysia and Singapore on January 11, 2024.
According to Loke, Onn Hafiz also attended the arrival ceremony of the first RTS Link train in Singapore on June 30 last year, a milestone event in the bilateral rail project linking Johor Bahru and Singapore.
The minister added that the Johor Menteri Besar was also present at the special launch of the ETS3 service and the official opening of the KTM Kluang station on August 23, 2025.
In addition, Onn Hafiz attended the completion ceremony of the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track Project as well as the launch of ETS services extending to Johor Bahru on December 11 last year.
“These events clearly demonstrate that MOT and the Johor government have maintained close cooperation on numerous transportation projects and initiatives,” Loke said.
He also pointed out that Johor government representatives had attended other ministry programmes, including the signing ceremony for the Kluang Heritage Railway Linear Park project, a working visit to the Sultan Abu Bakar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex, and the reopening of the Pasir Gudang-Kempas Baru railway line.
However, Loke noted that there had also been occasions when no Johor government representatives attended MOT programmes.
One example was the MyLesenB2 launch for school students in Johor Bahru on May 11 this year, despite invitations having been sent.
“I understand that election season can be very busy and perhaps some things were overlooked.
“Besides, there is a difference between an official event and one of my personal working visits. If it is only a working visit, I do not want to take up the Menteri Besar’s valuable time,” he said.
Loke reiterated that a formal invitation letter would be sent to Onn Hafiz for the KTM Komuter Selatan launch scheduled to take place in Kulai on Tuesday.
He added that the Johor Menteri Besar would also be invited to deliver a speech during the event.
“See you in Kulai on Tuesday.
“Our side will also invite you to say a few words during the programme,” he wrote.
In the same statement, Loke touched on a “dry run” of the KTM Komuter Selatan service conducted by Johor’s transport exco on March 3.
According to him, the trial ride took place before the service had been officially finalised and without prior notification to the ministry.
“Nevertheless, I did not make an issue out of it,” he said.
The exchange between the two leaders has attracted public attention as Johor prepares for its upcoming state election.
While differences in opinion have surfaced over protocol and invitations, Loke stressed that cooperation between MOT and the Johor government remains strong and that both sides should continue working together to improve transportation infrastructure and services for the benefit of the people.
