SMH Rail Sdn. Bhd. has been named a finalist for the Minister’s Laureate for National Transport Leadership category at the Transports Expo Asia (TXA) Awards 2026. SMH’s Transport Leadership is reflected in the company’s involvement in rail manufacturing, passenger train maintenance and freight transport, as well as its efforts to develop local railway capabilities in Malaysia.
Them getting shortlisted as finalist recognises the breadth of the company’s work across different parts of the railway sector, from supporting urban public transport to contributing to freight operations and expanding Malaysia’s participation in international rail projects.
Supporting Malaysia’s Urban Rail Network
One of SMH Rail’s key contributions has been its involvement in the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) network. The company assembled and delivered 428 train cars for the MRT Kajang and Putrajaya lines, with both projects reported to have been completed ahead of schedule.
Beyond train delivery, the projects helped establish a local supply network involving more than 100 Malaysian vendor companies supplying parts and services. This provides opportunities for domestic businesses to participate in railway-related manufacturing and technical services.
SMH Rail also undertakes maintenance work for the MRT Kajang Line. Its 40-month technical support contract covers 58 trains and includes component support, technical supervision and staff training. Such work forms part of the ongoing requirements of public transport systems, where maintenance and technical support are important to keeping trains in service.
These activities provide a practical basis for assessing SMH’s Transport Leadership, particularly in relation to the development and continued support of Malaysia’s rail infrastructure.
Strengthening Freight and Railway Asset Support
SMH Rail is also helping address Malaysia’s shortage of freight trains through long-term leasing. In 2022, KTMB accepted a proposal from its subsidiary, Berapit Freight Train, to lease six locomotives and 204 wagons for 12 years. The locally manufactured trains were introduced under a “pay-as-use” model, offering a new approach to freight operations.
In 2023, SMH Rail secured a 25-year agreement to refurbish, replace and lease back the Railway Assets Corporation’s freight fleet. More recently, in March 2026, RAC awarded the company a RM29.1 million contract to repair three ETS Class 93/1 train sets and return them to daily service.
Taking Malaysian Rail Manufacturing Overseas
Beyond Malaysia’s domestic market, SMH Rail has also pursued opportunities in international markets. The Malaysia Book of Records recognised its H10 Series locomotive, manufactured at the company’s facility in Rasa, Hulu Selangor, as the first Malaysian-made locomotive developed for export.
In a separate international initiative in 2022, SMH Rail has engaged in locomotive exports and technology-transfer arrangements with Tanzania, including provisions for local assembly. These arrangements extend the company’s role beyond supplying railway equipment by helping to develop assembly capabilities in the destination market.
International partnerships, including collaborations involving Siemens Mobility and Medha, have also connected SMH Rail with overseas railway expertise and project opportunities. These relationships form part of the company’s efforts to participate in the wider regional and international rail industry.
These activities reflect SMH’s Transport Leadership by extending its manufacturing and technical capabilities in Malaysia to international markets. As Malaysia continues to develop its railway network, the relationship between infrastructure delivery, maintenance expertise and local industry participation remains important. SMH Rail’s work across passenger rail, freight and manufacturing provides a practical example of how these elements come together. Its selection as a finalist for the Minister’s Laureate for National Transport Leadership at the TXA Awards 2026 reflects the relevance of these contributions to the wider transport sector.
