Govt to make joint announcement with S'gor on ECRL breakthrough, says Dr Wee

KUALA LUMPUR: A breakthrough in negotiations with the Selangor state government on the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project will be announced on Thursday (Dec 2), says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic).

"I want to thank Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari as both of us will be issuing an official statement on Thursday on a common understanding between the Federal Government and the Selangor government in finalising the ECRL's northern alignment," the Transport Minister said when wrapping up his ministerial replies on Budget 2022 in Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Dec 1).

He said the breakthrough comes after 37 engagements with Selangor over the proposed alignment, which had caused delays in the project.

Dr Wee also said that a supplementary agreement on the ECRL northern alignment will be inked on Thursday.

"What was previously mentioned of daily losses of RM1.25mil a day if we delay the project will be history.

"We are now moving forward to complete the project by 2026," he said.

He said the alignment would create a land bridge that will connect Kuantan Port to Westport and Northport in Port Klang.

Previously, the Selangor state government was adamant on a rail network alignment via a southern route across Negri Sembilan and Putrajaya instead of the northern route via Gombak and Serendah.

The disagreement had added pressure on the completion of the project which was already delayed by some 12 months.

On a separate matter, Dr Wee said that the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) and the Road Transport Department is looking at introducing a policy in preparation to regulate e-hailing involving motorcycles.

He said this was in light of complaints that some e-hailing riders were reckless on the road and a risk to others.

At present, Dr Wee said that e-hailing motorcyclists are required to contribute RM13.10 a year for insurance coverage in the event of accidents.