YTL Constructions Stakeholder Director awarded with Outstanding Woman of The Year in Rail

PUTRAJAYA: YTL Construction today received the Platinum Land Transport Award from Transport Minister YB Datuk Seri Ir. Dr. Wee Ka Siong at a ceremony honouring key industry players, in Putrajaya. This award was the highest honour accorded in the Land Transport segment and was awarded to YTL Construction for its sterling performance as outstanding rail operator for ERL train services, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) for rail as well as leading construction player in Malaysia’s land transport industry. “We are humbled to receive this most distinguished award from the Government of Malaysia, recognising the hard work that YTL has put in over the years”, said Dato’ Sri Azmi Abdul Aziz, CEO of YTL’s Rail Division.

“YTL’s involvement in land transport began with ERL in 1997 and we have won numerous awards for our world-class service levels. We have also developed in-house, domestic MRO capabilities with professionally trained engineers and technicians that have fully support ERL’s rail operations over the last 25 years. Now as main local contractor for the 192km Gemas-JB Electrified Double Track Rail Project, YTL Construction remains committed to continuing to deliver world class standard services and in building the right thing in all that we do”, he added.

For the record, the Gemas-JB Electrified Double Track Rail Project is currently more than 80% completed and is scheduled to be handed over to the Ministry of Transport in June 2023.

The Minister of Transport also witnessed YTL Construction signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Universiti Malaya and Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) as part of its commitment to raising the level of technological domestic know-how in the Malaysian rail industry. YTL Construction is contributing RM1 million to fund R&D efforts for Track Management Systems and is fully committed to ensuring technological research undertaken will elevate Malaysia’s standing in the international rail fraternity.

At the same event, YTL Construction’s Stakeholder Director, Ms Natasha Zulkifli was awarded with Outstanding Woman of The Year in Rail, given her long contribution to the Malaysian public transport and rail sector. As Founder of not-for-profit entity Women in Rail Malaysia established in 2017, Natasha has long been passionate about ensuring the Malaysian rail industry not only provides support to women currently working in this space, but that it also attracts a young female workforce to contribute to nation building.

“I am delighted the Malaysian Government recognizes the role women play in enhancing what has traditionally been a man’s world. To date, Women in Rail Malaysia has carried out Leadership Talks to almost 5,000 students to suggest that they consider a career in the Malaysian rail space, as there is much it has to offer in terms of professional opportunities and personal growth”, she said.

In 2013, Natasha was also one of the founders of the Institution of Railway Signaling Engineers (IRSE) in Malaysia, serving as its first Treasurer and in 2019 the German government recognized Natasha as a one of the ‘Remarkable Women in Transport’, officially recognizing her as a female change-maker and highlighting her contribution to sustainable mobility solutions.