24.6.2020: Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to the People’s Republic of China cum MCBC Chairman Dato Sri Tiong King Sing met with Minister of Transport Datuk Seri Ir Dr Wee Ka Siong yesterday and discussed in detail the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project.
Dato Sri Tiong stressed that based on public feedback and the challenges present in the revised ECRL route, the research and discussion on this issue must take the national economic growth into account and be truly beneficial to industry and the people.
He hoped that the Ministry will make the adjustments with great care to ensure that the project can resume as scheduled and that no changes will stall its progress.
“Although the ECRL has been restarted, it has sadly been repeatedly used as political football in the past, which had overshadowed its original noble intention to catalyse economic growth and benefit the people, resulting in the project stagnating for some time before now. ”
Dato Sri Tiong hoped that this project gets going smoothly on its way to bring about commercial, logistical, trade and tourism development along its route. The success of this project will substantially contribute to the overall economic and social development of our country and pave a new beginning to Malaysia-China relations.
“I am pleased to have been given the perspectives on the merits of the ECRL’s proposed route changes. I understand that the Transport Ministry will continue to study the matter in detail to optimise the route for the long-term development of the country. Also, the Minister assured that he will closely monitor the traffic infrastructure and resolve current challenges and issues faced by the ECRL.”
“I am confident that the ECRL will play a significant role in the Belt and Road Initiative and become an engine for growth in our local economy and integrate us more into the global trade network, bringing new business opportunities.”
