S’gor exco objection to ECRL realignment will further delay completion

KUALA LUMPUR – The decision by the Selangor executive council to defend its stand against the proposed realignment of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) will only further delay the mega project’s Section C (Mentakab-Port Klang) and potentially push back the projected completion of the whole project by December 2026.

In a statement today, Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) chairman Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali said the Selangor exco should reconsider its decision in view of the advantages completing the ECRL project would bring, as well as solutions and mitigation plans in place that are addressing environmental and social impact concerns in relation to the project.

“MRL would like to reiterate that the construction of the ECRL is of national interest and not for the benefit of any state in particular.

“It is envisioned as a game-changer and catalyst for socio-economic growth to narrow the economic inequality between the west and east coasts of Peninsular Malaysia,” he said.

He said the statement made by the exco was a real let-down, especially after MRL as the project owner had made countless engagements with the Selangor government and its agencies in the past eight months (from June 2020 until February this year) on the plan to revert to the original alignment.

“In fact, engagements have received constructive feedback from the Selangor government’s technical departments and agencies,” he said.

He said MRL has also addressed all issues raised by various state agencies in the reversion activity, and has provided solutions and mitigations involving environmental protection, minimising social impact, and improving rail connectivity, among others.

“For example, MRL has presented a definitive solution to the issue of safeguarding the Gombak quartz ridge by designing an alignment that traverses an existing path for ECRL to cross the ridge.

“As such, MRL is shocked that the exco has brushed aside convincing details that MRL has furnished, be it to various state agencies or the Selangor Economic Action Council, on the clear advantages of the ECRL’s original alignment,” he added.

Previously, it was reported that Selangor supported the ECRL project but is adamant on defending its stand for the rail network to traverse a southern route across Negri Sembilan and Putrajaya, as opposed to a northern route via Gombak and Serendah, as announced by the Transport Minister recently. – Bernama, March 26, 2021