KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 14 -- Nearly four years into his second stint as transport minister, Anthony Loke can point to gains in public transport and rail use, but says Malaysia's growing vehicle population, ageing infrastructure and gaps in connectivity continue to complicate efforts to overhaul the country's transport system.

One of the areas where Loke has sought to make the biggest changes is Prasarana Malaysia Berhad, which operates the Klang Valley's Light Rail Transit (LRT), Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and monorail services.

Loke said Prasarana was in poor shape when he returned to the ministry in late 2022, with frequent disruptions and maintenance problems affecting public confidence.

"Prasarana at the end of 2022 was in a really bad s...