‘POLITICISING ECRL CURBS GROWTH’
China’s RM5.6b investment in steel factory produces more than 4,000 jobs
POLITICISING the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) and other projects involving China could curtail the opportunity to boost the income and socio-economic wellbeing of Malaysians.
East Coast Economic Region Development Council chief executive officer Datuk Seri Jebasingam Issace John said there was never an issue of selling off Malaysia’s sovereignty via investments from China, as claimed on social media.
He said the matter should instead be viewed positively due to the creation of new jobs for residents here via China’s investment in Alliance Steel (M) Sdn Bhd, at the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP) here, which involves RM5.6 billion.
“As can be seen at the Alliance Steel Job Carnival today, around 4,000 job openings in various fields were opened to residents of the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) and this is a positive thing.
“This is different than what is portrayed in debates on social media where there was criticism against investments and projects from China, as people definitely benefited from getting jobs as well as entrepreneurship,” he said after the opening of the Alliance Steel Job Carnival here yesterday.
State Health, Human Resources and Special Tasks Committee chairman Datuk Norol Azali Sulaiman opened the carnival. Present was Alliance Steel project deputy chief Hu Jiu Lin.
Jebasingam was responding to allegations against the ECRL project, launched at the Kota SAS Central Station here on Wednesday.
On that day, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak performed the groundbreaking of the RM55 billion public transportation project that seeks to boost economic development of the east coast states of Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan.
The ambitious project, involving the construction of a 688km
rail network, is spearheaded by the contractor, China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC), with the cooperation of Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd.
Norol Azali said investment
from China would not only lead to Malaysia’s economic growth, but also indirectly expose its educational institutions to new knowledge.
“I believe they (educational institutions) can acquire new
knowledge and expertise such as through Alliance Steel, which can help the country (Malaysia) develop a highly skilled workforce and human capital,” he said.