People will lose ‘without ECRL’
PM: Scrapping project can hamper development in East Coast
KOTA BARU: Malaysians will be on the losing end if the Opposition comes into power and scraps the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, says the Prime Minister.
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said calling off the project would hamper development in the East Coast states.
“Once the ECRL project is up and running, these states could enjoy an additional 1.5% increase in growth.
“If it is scrapped, the people will lose out,” he said after a ground-breaking ceremony at the ECRL Tunjong base here yesterday.
Besides, he added, the ECRL also offered greater connectivity and would drastically shorten travel time with commuters from Gombak able to reach Kota Baru in four hours.
Najib pointed out that the 237 local sub-contractors, suppliers and consultants awarded projects would also lose about RM1.4bil in profit.
The ECRL would also directly and indirectly create 80,000 job opportunities, 70% of which are allotted to local workers, he added.
Najib said the project would transform the economic landscape and livelihood of the people, noting that land prices had appreciated considerably in some strategic locations even before its completion.
For example, he pointed out that land prices around the ECRL project
in Tunjong had increased to about RM1mil per acre and when the project is completed, the price could go up to even RM5mil per acre.
Also present at the ceremony was MCA president and Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
Malaysia awarded the project to a China-based contractor because the Chinese authorities offered the best
deal, including a seven-year relief period from loan servicing, he added.
“By then, the ringgit would have appreciated, and the interest would be almost negligible,” he added.
The ECRL, stretching 688km from Port Klang in Selangor to Tumpat in Kelantan, is expected to be completed by June 2024.
Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) is the special-purpose vehicle under the Minister of Finance Incorporated tasked as project owner.
MRL chairman Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah said the project is ahead of schedule in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang because of strong support from the respective state governments.
However, he did not include Selangor in the list.
Najib also attended a gathering with Ketereh folk at Yayasan Kemiskinan Kelantan in Kampung Wakaf Yok Wali – the RM120mil MRSM Ulul Albab and RM11.7mil Giat Mara PR1MA ground-breaking ceremony in Kampung Padang Salim, Melor; and held a closed-door meeting with state Umno leaders.
Meanwhile, Najib’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, who attended a separate function at a Rehabilitation in Community centre, presented Hari Raya clothes and cash to 600 trainees.
She said it had nothing to do with the general election but “is an annual Semai Bakti programme”.
“This year we are holding it in Kelantan,” said Rosmah, who is the Bakti president.