Lim: Official statement on ECRL to be made soon

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng: Improved tax collection strategies and continued economic growth will ensure that Malaysia readily meets its fiscal consolidation objectives.

GEORGE TOWN: An official announcement on the status of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project will be made this week, says Lim Guan Eng (pic).

“A statement announcing the status of the project will be made as planned by the Cabinet,” said the Finance Minister.

Lim said all parties should exercise caution in discussing the “delicate” issue as it involves a contract with China Communications Construction Company and other parties.

“This involves contracts and other matters, so let us wait for the written statement,” he told a press conference after launching phase two of the Penang Digital Library along Jalan Masjid Negeri yesterday.

Lim said his previous comments on the issue were referring to the timing and not the content mentioned by Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.

According to earlier reports, Lim is said to be taken aback by Azmin’s announcement that the ECRL project had been terminated.

On a separate matter, Lim said the first phase of the Bantuan Sara Hidup scheme would be credited by today.

“The money will be credited to the bank accounts of eligible recipients.”