JELI – The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, expected to be completed in 2026, has reached 21% completion so far, said Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) chairman Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.
Zuki said although the percentage indicated that the project was ahead of schedule, there was still a long way to go, adding that there were several issues such as land acquisition and site clearance that needed to be solved.
“The most critical issue is the approval from state governments on sections A (Kota Baru to Dungun), B (Dungun to Temerloh), and C (Temerloh to Port Klang). We are still awaiting approval from the Selangor state government.
“If we get the approval, then the entire ECRL project can be implemented (immediately), so it will not fall behind schedule,” he told reporters after visiting the Armed Forces Family Housing project site here today.
On the participation of local contractors in the ECRL project, Zuki, who is also the chief secretary to the government, said it had so far reached 12%, shy of the 40% target set by MRL, adding that more local contractors are expected to participate when the project’s civil works fully opened. – Bernama, March 7, 2021