Najib: Stop the drama and state if the ECRL has been cancelled

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (pic) says that Pakatan Harapan ministers should stop the "drama" and come clean over the status of the East Coast Rail Link project (ECRL).

The former prime minister on his Facebook page on Monday (Jan 28) posted a letter about the cancellation, which appears to bear Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng's signature.

"No need for PH ministers, including the 'drama minister' to speak in circles… who signed the letter dated Jan 18?" asked Najib.

The letter supposedly informs Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd CEO Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak that the ECRL project is cancelled with immediate effect.

The letter also instructs Darwis to inform the main contractor, China Communications Construction Co (CCC) Ltd and China Communications Constructions Company (M) Sdn Bhd, as well as financial institutions such as Exim Bank China.

"Just admit it if ECRL is officially scrapped and that the letter of cancellation has been sent, " said Najib.

On Saturday (Jan 26), Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali announced that the government had decided to cancel the RM81bil project with CCC Ltd.

Hours later, Lim issued a denial, claiming Azmin was not privy to the decision made by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

On Sunday (Jan 27), Lim said the Cabinet would make an official announcement this week on the China-backed RM81bil ECRL project.

He said since the ECRL was a massive project, it was only proper for the announcement to be made in a written statement.