PLENTY OF JOBS FOR CONTRACTORS
Partner foreign experts if need be, says Daim
THE renegotiated East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project offers plenty of opportunities to local contractors, including bumiputera, in public works like supplies and technical aspects, said Tun Daim Zainuddin.
Daim, the prime minister’s special envoy who renegotiated the project with the Chinese government last Friday, said local contractors should seize these opportunities as the project offered many attractive packages that would change the country’s economic landscape.
“If you lack capability, you need to cooperate with foreign experts because many packages will be offered. In fact, it is not impossible for their (local contractors) involvement to exceed 40 per cent if the collaboration succeeds.
“They should go and discuss with Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL), show MRL the expertise and services that they can offer. This is an international tender, they need to be productive. Don’t wait for opportunities to come knocking, don’t wait for people to call, don’t criticise without facts, business people must move.
“Come and see me if you are shy; I will help if you are qualified. Don’t expect the government to feed you. You should prepare and go meet industry players,” he said at his office here yesterday.
The ECRL was started by the previous government but was suspended last year by the Pakatan Harapan government because of its high cost.
Last Friday, MRL and China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC) signed a supplementary agreement (SA), which paves the way for its resumption. Under the SA, the construction of
Phases 1 and 2 will resume at a cost of RM44 billion, a reduction of RM21.5 billion from its original of RM65.5 billion.
The rail line will have a new alignment that cuts its distance by 40km to 648km, and reduces its cost per kilometre from RM98 million to RM68 million.
On Monday, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the SA would boost the participation of Malaysians to 40 per cent from 30 per cent previously.
Daim said the ECRL would not be a white elephant as it would carry 70 per cent cargo and 30 per cent passengers. It would have spillover effects like creating job opportunities, especially for people in the East Coast.
“The ECRL is the most expensive project ever undertaken to bring about a balance (in development) between the west and east coasts. The east coast will change.
“I have discussed (ECRL prospects) with the Terengganu menteri besar. And I will go to Kelantan. We hope the states involved will hold promotions to attract investors.
“This is a chance to use the opportunity wisely because this project is the biggest ever implemented in the east coast. We need to seize the opportunities.”
Daim said the business and tourism sectors were among those that would benefit from the ECRL as it would create economic opportunities and jobs at each station and stop.
“If we can be successful in the west coast, why can’t we do the same for the east coast? This has the potential to bring about balanced development in Peninsular Malaysia,” said the former finance minister said, adding that a special division should be established to smoothen and facilitate investments for the ECRL .
The new alignment covers five states — Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan — and Putrajaya, compared with only four states under the old alignment.