Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp) Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar will continue to lead the company until 31 Dec 31, 2018, following a two-year extension of his contract by the government.

MRT Corp Chairman Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa said Shahril's good leadership of MRT Corp had been recognised by the government.

"The government has decided that Shahril's continued leadership of MRT Corp is needed to see both phases of the SBK Line become operational in December this year and July next year," he said in a statement.

Ali added that the construction of the MRT Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya Line (SSP Line) would be picking up speed over the next few years and Shahril's experience would augur well to ensure that the challenges faced by the initial stages of construction are overcome.

The ground breaking for the SSP Line is expected to take place at end- August 2016.

Shahril took over the helm of MRT Corp on Jan 1 last year. Before taking up the position, he was Group Managing Director of Prasarana Malaysia Bhd.