ECRL project prequalification exercise draws 1,118 submissions

PETALING JAYA: The East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) project prequalification exercise to register experienced local subcontractors in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Selangor has attracted 1,118 submissions during a roadshow.

The roadshow, which was held from Oct 15 till Oct 23 in the four state capitals, was to register local subcontractors that possess CIDB Grade G3-G7 with a minimum two-star SCORE rating.

Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) CEO Darwis Abdul Razak ( pix) said the number of submissions in the prequalification exercise indicated the local construction industry’s level of confidence in the ECRL project.

He noted that CIDB Grade G7 companies which could tender for construction projects with unlimited contract value, came top of the list. The ECRL project is a 688km alignment that links the Klang Valley to the East Coast states.

“The enthusiasm shown by Malaysian contractors during the recent roadshow is a further endorsement of the high-impact ECRL project. We are optimistic that their firm support would facilitate the effective implementation of civil works for the rail alignment that stretches from Kota Baru to Port Klang,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He said the prequalification exercise initiated by China Communications Construction Co Ltd (CCCC) registered 625 submissions from contractors in the East Coast states, with 180 from Kelantan, 245 from Terengganu and the remaining 200 from Pahang. Selangor received the highest number of submissions at 493.

As the main contractor, CCCC will shortlist the qualified subcontractors from the prequalification exercise to tender for the infrastructure work packages in the ECRL project. The process is expected take a few months to complete as full-scale earthworks begin in early 2018.

“MRL trusts the potential companies to be shortlisted for tender would endeavour to participate in this RM55 billion rail project, and that together we can fully deliver the ECRL project ahead of the 2024 deadline,” said Darwis.

MRL is actively involved in the land acquisition process in the East Coast states and has started soil investigation as well as set up base camps on multiple sites in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang.

Work packages such as earthworks, formation works, drainage works, foundation works, building works and tunnelling are being subcontracted by CCCC to Malaysian contractors in line with the government’s commitment for local players to tap the ECRL project.

Successful applicants in the exercise will be notified in due time to proceed in the subsequent stages leading to the tender submission. Preference will be given to the respective states’ registered contractors who are shortlisted to submit competitive tenders.

MRL, a special purpose vehicle wholly owned by the Minister of Finance Incorporated, is the project owner of the ECRL while CCCC is the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning

contractor.