KUALA LUMPUR (April 25): Prasarana Malaysia Bhd said it will start awarding the main packages for the 37km Light Rail Transit Line 3 (LRT3) project in June or July this year as announced earlier.

"Up to now, we have completed (awarding) the system work packages for LRT3. So now, we are going into the civil construction or civil work tenders," its president and group chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Sri Azmi Abdul Aziz told reporters after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd and Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) today.

Azmi said Prasarana expects to complete awarding all the major work packages for LRT3 by July this year.

"As promised, about 40% of the total contracts will be awarded to bumiputera companies," he said.

Earlier under the MoU, Rapid Rail and IEM will collaborate to draw up programmes to further elevate the engineering profession in the rail industry.

"Both parties will also work closely in servicing the needs and interests of its members and the public and upholding the social standing and image of engineering profession and encourage engineering graduates to join IEM," said Rapid Rail CEO Datuk Zohari Sulaiman.

Prasarana now has more than 400 engineering graduate staff, with half of them working at Rapid Rail.

"Others are working either at the group or its other subsidiaries such as Prasarana Integrated Management and Engineering Services, Prasarana Rail and Infrastructure Projects and Rapid Bus," said Azmi.

IEM was established on 1959 and its primary function is to promote and advance the science and profession of engineering and to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas related to engineering.