Loke Siew Fook: Transit-Oriented Development Key to Driving Economic and Community Value
(Kuala Lumpur, 16th) Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook said that the success of a railway network is not only measured by the number of trains or passenger volume, but also by enhancing the economic value of surrounding areas. He emphasized that Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) has become an important part of Malaysia's public transport strategy.
He said that TOD is not just about building real estate projects next to stations, but creating integrated communities that combine living, working, shopping, and commuting, allowing residents a more convenient life, reducing reliance on public transport, and ensuring that public transport infrastructure continues to create value after completion.
"Looking around the world, many cities have proven that public transport infrastructure and urban development must go hand in hand. Cities like Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul, Tokyo, and Singapore have successfully integrated railway infrastructure with commercial and real estate development to create sustainable urban ecosystems."
Loke Siew Fook spoke last night at the unveiling ceremony of the IJM Land and MRT Corp Cochrane MRT Station TOD project. He pointed out that the most effective way to increase public transport usage is to make more people have easy access to the transport network. He welcomed the collaboration between the two companies.
"This project is very much in line with the Ministry of Transport's policy direction. Over the past few years, the Ministry has actively advocated and supported TOD projects on land surrounding railway stations, whether managed by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad, MRT Corp, or Prasarana Malaysia.
"We continue to support such development projects, and we hope to expand them beyond the Klang Valley to all parts of the country. We believe this will create greater value for the public transport system."
Also present were Secretary-General of the Ministry of Transport Datuk Seri Jana Santhiran, Kuala Lumpur City Hall Executive Director (Planning) Rosli Nordin, IJM Non-Executive Chairman Tan Sri Chen Woon Cheng, IJM Land Managing Director Datuk Lim Tow Kong, and MRT Corp CEO Datuk Mohd Zarif.
Nation's First: Planned 586 Serviced Apartment Units
Datuk Mohd Zarif said that after signing the Cochrane Station TOD joint development agreement with IJM Land in December 2025, it took only five months to complete the design, and the development permit application was formally submitted on June 10 this year, reflecting the strong and close cooperation between the two parties.
He noted that few places in the Klang Valley have the same combination of transport connectivity, accessibility, and mature urban environment as Cochrane Station, which already has the basic conditions needed for TOD.
"Our goal today is to unlock these advantages."
He shared that the project plans to build 586 serviced apartment units, with a highlight being a first in Malaysia: residents can use a dedicated lift to connect directly from the building's basement to the MRT station concourse. He hopes this will become a new benchmark for TOD projects.
Lim Tow Kong said that as cities evolve, convenience is no longer a luxury, and people's demands for living styles are changing. They want to reduce commuting time and spend more time on what truly matters.
He emphasized that under the concept of "life on the rails," the project brings together transport connectivity, facilities, and living experience in one place, allowing residents to enjoy peace and balance in a busy city.
Call for Developers to Collaborate on Creating a Cross-Building Pedestrian Network
Loke Siew Fook said that if TOD is to realize its potential, it must seamlessly integrate pedestrian access facilities with surrounding development projects. He called on developers to work together to create a pedestrian network across buildings, connecting stations, surrounding buildings, key destinations, and public spaces.
"The most effective way to increase public transport usage is to make more people have easy access to the transport network. The challenge in many cities is often not about riding the train, but whether people can conveniently get to the station from their homes, workplaces, and daily activity locations.
"Cochrane Station already has a complete pedestrian connection system, allowing walking access to the MRT station, myTown, IKEA, and Sunway Velocity Mall, creating an urban space that integrates mobility, living, and convenience."
He pointed out that fare revenue alone is insufficient to support a large public transport system, so MRT Corp also hopes to create more value for the government through the development of land around stations and increase ridership on the MRT network, creating a win-win situation.
