Najib: Cancelling ECRL project can harm Malaysia-China ties

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak waving to his supporters at Kuala Berang Community Hall on Friday. -Bernamapic

HULU TERENGGANU: Cancelling the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project can harm Malaysia-China relations, says Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Barisan Nasional chairman said such a move might anger China, whose state-owned China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) had been appointed for the construction of the project.

"CCCC is fully owned by the Chinese government. If the ECRL project is cancelled, what happens if they tell their tourists to boycott our country? No one will go to Tasik Kenyir," he said referring to a popular tourist spot here.

"Recently, there was a dispute between China and South Korea. China then told their tourists to boycott Korea. As a result, Jeju Island became deserted.

"China is also the biggest importer of our palm oil. What if they decide not to buy from us anymore? Felda will suffer badly," said Najib at a rally in Kuala Berang here Friday (May 4).

Najib was responding to Pakatan Harapan's pledge to review the ECRL project if it gains control of the government.

"ECRL will generate 80,000 jobs and also spur growth in the east coast," said Najib, who was on a half-day visit to Terengganu as part of the GE14 campaign.

Earlier, he launched the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) in Kuala Terengganu.