KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 — The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project has recorded an overall progress of 89 per cent as of October 2025, said Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak.
The target of achieving 90 per cent progress by the end of this year is drawing closer, thanks to the integrated efforts and strong commitment of the MRL team together with the project’s implementation partners.
“With preparations now shifting to the testing and commissioning phase, which is expected to begin in mid-2026, the project is anticipated to commence operations from Kota Bharu to the Gombak Integrated Terminal by January 2027.
“Phase Two of the ECRL alignment between Gombak and Port Klang is expected to begin operations in January 2028, thus charting a new chapter in the country’s transportation landscape,” he said.
Darwis was speaking at the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Terengganu state government, represented by State Secretary Datuk Zulkifli Ali, and MRL to facilitate transit-oriented development (TOD) at ECRL stations in Terengganu.
He added that the ECRL is one of the high-impact national infrastructure projects actively undertaken by the Federal government since 2017.
With a rail construction length of 665km spanning three East Coast states and Selangor, the project stands as a symbol of the government’s strong commitment to strengthening the nation’s strategic transportation network through close cooperation between Malaysia and China.
Darwis said the construction of the ECRL alignment in Terengganu, covering 242km and comprising six stations, has recorded a construction progress of 94.82 per cent as of October 2025, the highest among the four states involved, which include Kelantan, Pahang, and Selangor.
“This is an achievement that clearly reflects the high efficiency and strong commitment in carrying out the works in this state,” he said.
The signing was witnessed by Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar and Chief Secretary to the Government cum MRL chairman Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
In his officiating speech, Samsuri said the MOU represents a strategic move to ensure that development around ECRL stations is implemented in a planned and high-impact manner, and to complement both the state and MRL’s planning.
It also reflects the state government’s commitment to optimising the benefits of the ECRL development as a catalyst for economic growth and private investment in Terengganu.
Among the major areas of cooperation are the coordination of integrated development plans to increase the use of public transportation, specifically the ECRL, in Terengganu, as well as optimising land-use planning and land availability around ECRL station areas in the state.
Besides that, the partnership aims to attract and increase private investment and commercial activities surrounding the ECRL station areas in Terengganu.
“With the support of TOD governance structures in each district involved, we will ensure that development proceeds in an organised, responsible manner and remains centred on the people’s interests.
“This is also the best time for us to attract investors,” he said.
