By Yasmin Ramlan
SHAH ALAM, June 19 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has guaranteed that the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project will bring significant development to the region, as it will be completed ahead of its original timeline.
He said the RM50.27 billion project indicates the government’s readiness to ensure equal development, particularly in the East Coast regions of Malaysia.
“We leaders can plan, craft, and decide on the policy, but I am pleased that we have professionals committed, technocrats, and workers like you.
“You have shown that we can do it more effectively and we can do it successfully, not only according to time but now accelerating the pace to complete this project well earlier than what was initially projected,” Anwar said.
He was speaking at today's groundbreaking ceremony for the ECRL Gombak Integrated Transport Terminal (ITT) Station, which China’s Premier Li Qiang also officiated.
The event is the first groundbreaking ceremony of the project held in Selangor and also marks the beginning of construction for the first station of the ECRL line in the state, which will have five stations in total.
Expressing his profound appreciation to Li during his official visit to Malaysia, Anwar said it demonstrated how Malaysia and China could collaborate to enhance bilateral relations.
“This comprehensive strategic partnership with China is something we applaud and will showcase how Malaysia and China can be great collaborators in economic fields and all fields of human development.
“I think I need to reiterate the need to express my profound appreciation for this visit, which is considered a major visit — an important milestone in the working relations between Malaysia and China,” he said.
Anwar added that the project would boost economic growth and support the underdeveloped areas on the East Coast.
“The ECRL project will guarantee growth in the region, which is currently lacking in competitiveness and unable to compete without good infrastructure.
“The infrastructure will be provided to Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang. This will give us the opportunity to witness better economic growth in those states,” he said.
The ECRL is a 665 km-long railway project connecting Kota Bahru, Kelantan, to Port Klang, Selangor.
The massive infrastructure project connects Malaysia’s east and west coasts with 20 stations.
Earlier, Bernama reported that the project is running smoothly and has reached 67 per cent completion despite several hiccups and challenges throughout its development and implementation phases.
