HANGZHOU, Sept 24 — Malaysia and China have agreed on the proposed extension of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project from Kota Bharu to Rantau Panjang, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the project would not only stimulate economic activity in Kelantan’s remote areas, but also establish a direct transport link with Thailand.
“Further discussions on the ECRL proposal will be held with all stakeholders before it is brought to the Cabinet for consideration,” Anwar told Malaysian media at the end of his working visit to China today.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, said he also received positive feedback on the proposal during his discussions with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
The 665km ECRL is a land transportation project providing cross-regional services connecting the west and east coasts of Peninsular Malaysia.
The ECRL route from Kota Bharu to Port Klang will host 20 stations, including 10 passenger stations and another 10 stops that will combine both freight and passenger transport.
Also present at the press conference here were Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, and Malaysian Ambassador to China Datuk Norman Muhamad.
Anwar said today’s bilateral talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang were highly important as they covered strategic issues facing both countries and the ASEAN region, as well as providing information on the key agenda items for the meeting between United States President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is currently on an official visit to Washington DC.
Asked whether the issue of tariff restrictions and trade pressure from the US was discussed, Anwar said Malaysia remains neutral and has chosen to maintain direct dialogue with the US, with China aware of the matter.
Meanwhile, he extended his heartiest congratulations to the 22 Malaysians competing in WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, which ends this week.
Earlier, Anwar officiated the Malaysian Pavilion at the Global Digital Trade Expo here.
The Malaysian Pavilion, which brings together 15 exhibitors including four government agencies, highlighted Malaysia’s strengths and innovations across digital trade, artificial intelligence, cloud services, smart healthcare and cross-border e-commerce.
The Malaysian companies’ participation, coordinated by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), showcased the capabilities and strengths of the country’s digital and tech-based companies competing in the global arena.
