ECRL to boost GDP of 3 East Coast states
KUALA LUMPUR: The implementation of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project will boost the gross domestic product (GDP) of three East Coast states in Peninsular Malaysia by 1.5%, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
He said the project will change the economic landscapes of Terengganu, Kelantan and Pahang and turn them into trade hubs and for small and medium enterprises, tourism destinations and focus for new investments, Bernama reported.
Najib said the ECRL is important to close the development gap between the East Coast and the West Coast.
“ECRL is a ‘game changer’ that can spur higher growth rates for the East Coast states,” he said in his speech at the opening of the session on “Public Inspection ECRL” here yesterday.
The plan for the 600.3km ECRL, which will have 23 stations, is open for public inspection for three months at the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) head office. The public can also inspect it at 38 other locations, such as district offices in Kota Baru, Tumpat, Kuala Terengganu, Besut, Kuantan and Temerloh.
Najib said the East Coast states have huge potential for the development of sectors such as agriculture, commerce, industries, SMEs and tourism, and they need a more efficient transport system like the ECRL.
“Besides being environmentally friendly, the ECRL will facilitate movements of the people during the festive season with the potential duration of the trip from Kuala Lumpur (Gombak) to Wakaf Bharu, Kelantan, in about four hours,” he said.
In the development of such a large project, Najib said, it is not wrong to have tie-ups with major economic nations as it will not affect the sovereignty of the country. “Teaming up with the major economic nations such as China, Saudi Arabia, India, and Japan, will be beneficial to the country and the people. Hence, the ECRLproject should not be politicised,” he added.