The Malaysian Insight

THE East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project is proceeding on schedule despite a change of government and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Construction sources told The Malaysian Insight that the project has not been issued any suspension notice.

Fears that ECRL would be derailed by the coronavirus outbreak are unfounded as its workforce comprises locals, not Chinese nationals, said a source who declined to be named.

“We don’t know how long this outbreak will keep going. But I believe that even if there is a delay, it will not affect the project’s progress.”

The project’s completion is set for December 2026.

Other questions have arisen, such as whether the new government led by Muhyiddin Yassin will drop ECRL.

“We all know the government has changed,” said the source.

“Different leaders may have different views. We are awaiting news of any possible change.”

Political analyst Soon Hoh Sing said the government may not be enthusiastic about a project that is potentially not economically viable.

This is because ECRL cuts through sparsely populated areas.

“The big question is, is it cost-effective? If the passenger traffic is low, it won’t be able to pay for itself in terms of maintenance costs in the long run,” said Soon.

However, Malaysian Chinese Chamber of Commerce Socio-Economic Research Centre executive director Lee Heng Guie is optimistic, saying ECRL can drive economic development in the east coast of the peninsula.

“In fact, the core focus is cargo. From Kelantan all the way to Pahang, through the Kuantan seaport city to Port Klang, the link will not only transport agricultural goods, but also mining products.

“It can also attract Chinese investments for our light industries.”

The project was kept alive by the previous Pakatan Harapan government in 2018, when then Council of Eminent Persons chairman Daim Zainuddin negotiated with Beijing and construction firms for a downsized version of the link.

Construction costs were reduced from the original RM65.5 billion to RM44 billion, a savings of RM21.5 billion.

ECRL was mooted by the Barisan Nasional government led by Najib Razak, who had said it would cost RM55 billion.

The link was to be 688km long, including 100km of viaducts and bridges, and an additional 60km of tunnels.

PH said the costs would almost certainly balloon beyond the stated figure.

BN envisioned 24 stations along the link, connecting the entire east coast to Port Klang. A journey from Kelantan to Port Klang using the proposed double-track railway would take just four hours.

Under PH, however, the project was slashed to 14 stations, with the link crossing through Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Negri Sembilan, Selangor and Putrajaya. – March 16, 2020.