China expects resumption of Malaysian rail project

China remains optimistic that the shelved East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project in Malaysia will be revived, and is hoping for a win-win solution that will benefit both nations, The Star newspaper quoted Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Bai Tian as saying.
China expects resumption of Malaysian rail project ảnh 1Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Bai Tian (Photo: mole.my)
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – China remains optimistic that the shelved East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project in Malaysia will be revived, and is hoping for a win-win solution that will benefit both nations, The Star newspaper quoted Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Bai Tian as saying.

The ambassador said both governments have been talking to each other about the 688km railway proposed to run from Port Klang in Selangor state to Pengkalan Kubor in Kelantan state.

Both agreed that the negotiations should be held between the contractor and the project owner, he said.

According to Bai, the ECRL would benefit Malaysians as it would provide an affordable means of transport.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the Malaysian government had yet to make a final decision on the project.

In an interview with Sin Chew Daily, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad stated that the ECRL might be revived but on a smaller scale.

The project, worth 81 billion ringgit (about 20 billion USD), was to be handled by Chinese constructors.

It was approved by the previous government of Malaysia, which was to be built in two phases. However, the project was put on hold after the victory of Pakatan Harapan led by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in the general election in May 2018.-VNA
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