Malaysia has reasons to walk away from ECRL

Too costly: People viewing a model of the ECRL routes in Kota Baru, Kelantan. Dr Mahathir has stated that the cost of the project is too high and the terms are not favourable to Malaysia. — Bernama

ALREADY two railway projects – including the prestigious high-speed rail (HSR) between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore – have been scrapped, relieving at least RM100bil off the government’s expenditure.

The biggest test for Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his Cabinet is the RM55bil East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), a project that has the backing of China. The latest development is that a staggering RM20bil has been drawn down from the RM55bil with only one year of work done.