KUALA LUMPUR (July 17): Prasarana Malaysia Bhd is ramping up efforts to expand its presence and share its capabilities overseas, as part of its effort to be a world-class railway solutions provider, said group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Azmi Abdul Aziz.

Azmi said Prasarana sees more opportunities for potential railway projects in Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi in United Arab Emirates, Mumbai in India, and Brunei.

"We are increasing the number of our staff for the upcoming rail project in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. At the same time, we are looking for more opportunities in the mass rapid transit (MRT) project in Indonesia," Azmi told reporters after attending the launch of the 51-km MRT Line 1 connecting Sungai Buloh and Kajang (SBK Line).

On whether Prasarana is looking to manage the operation of upcoming railway projects such as the 350km-long Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail, or the 600km-long East Coast Rail Line, Azmi said, "No, not for now."

"We will not be bidding, but Prasarana is always ready if the government instructs it to manage the operation and services of upcoming rail projects," he added.

Currently, Prasarana owns and manages the intercity Light Rail Transit and monorail.

It is also managing the MRT Line 1 rail operation, and the 18.1-km Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro Southern Line in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, Azmi declined to comment on Prasarana and its ongoing dispute with Scomi Engineering Bhd.

"As you know, the matter is now before the court. I am not going to jump the gun and make any comments that could be [construed as] in contempt of the court," he said.

Scomi Engineering has filed several lawsuits against Prasarana over disputes that arose between them in relation to the Kuala Lumpur Monorail Fleet Expansion project, which led to Prasarana moving to terminate Scomi Engineering's service in the project.

The latest was filed early this month to stop Prasarana from appointing a new party to supply the remainder six trains needed to complete the project. The suit has been scheduled for hearing on July 31.