Malaysian PM refutes cancellation of Chinese-invested railway project
The Malaysian government has not made final decision on the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project invested by China and negotiations are still underway, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on January 29.
Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad (Photo: VNA)Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – The Malaysian government has not made final decision on the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project invested by China and negotiations are still underway, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on January 29.
The PM told the press that both sides need more time to come up with a solution to this matter.
He added that Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng will help with the negotiations and make an announcement later at the end of the negotiations.
The nearly 20-billion-USD railway project again came into spotlight after Malaysia’s Economic Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali said on January 26 that the contract with China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) had been canceled.
Minister Lim expressed shock over Azmin’s announcement.
Explaining the disagreement between the two ministers, PM Mahathir said both were present in the government’s meeting on January 24, but the media had interpreted the ministers' statement wrongly that had led to a misunderstanding.
There has not been any decision on the project, the PM confirmed.
In 2017, CCCC won the construction of the 620-km ECRL project connecting Malaysia's underdeveloped East Coast area to Kuala Lumpur and Thailand. 85 percent of the cost of this project was covered by the Export-Import Bank of China.
The project was officially launched in August 2017, but was suspended by the Government of PM Mahathir Mohamad after taking power in May 2018.-VNA
You should also see
PM raises proposals for ASEAN to become global digital transformation model
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on April 23 proposed breakthrough orientations to make ASEAN a model in digital transformation globally, while co-chairing a business roundtable with his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone in Hanoi.
See more
World
Thailand re-considers tourism tax
Thai tourism operators are urging the Thai government to seriously consider measures to tackle overtourism. One of the proposed measures is a tourism tax of 300 baht (8.11 USD).
World
Ten crew members killed after two Malaysian navy helicopters collide
Ten people have died after two navy helicopters collided in mid-air during a military rehearsal for a Royal Malaysian Navy parade.
World
Indonesian Constitutional Court rejects petitions against presidential election results
The Indonesian Constitutional Court on April 22 rejected all petitions regarding the country’s presidential election results filed by two presidential candidates - Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar and Ganjar Prabowo-Mahfud M.D.
ASEAN
ASEAN youth empowered to unleash potential: ASEAN chief
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn reaffirmed ASEAN leaders' commitment to empowering the youth to unleash their full potential when he had a dialogue with ASEAN youth in Hanoi on April 22 on the sidelines of the ASEAN Future Forum (AF 2024).
World
Malaysian official urges collective efforts in plastic waste fight
A Malaysian official has underlined the importance of collective efforts, particularly by the public, in promoting the use of reusable bags and reducing single-use plastics in the fight against plastic waste.
