Royal guests: Sultan Ibrahim and the Johor royal family attending the Johor MB’s open house in Saujana. With them is Dr Wee. — photo courtesy of Dr Wee’s Facebook page
JOHOR BARU: Congestion on road journeys to the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia during festive seasons is expected to be reduced once the East Cost Rail Link (ECRL) is completed, says Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
He said the project, which is expected to be completed in 2026, would make it easier for people to return to their hometowns from and back.
“For those returning to the east coast, they have to bear with heavy congestion currently.
“We hope that the congestion will be solved with the construction of the ECRL.
“It will only take four hours for them to travel from Kelantan (Kota Baru) to Gombak, and vice-versa,” the MCA president told reporters at Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi’s open house at his official residence here in Saujana yesterday.
The 665km ECRL will traverse Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang, and link to Port Klang via the northern part of Selangor.
On another matter, Dr Wee said that while heavy congestion had been reported at certain parts of the country during this festive season, traffic conditions remain smooth and under control.
“At the moment, no major accidents have been reported and we pray that everything will go well.
“We have also conducted road safety campaigns and advocacy to increase public awareness, and we hope that they continue to drive carefully,” he said.
Also present with Dr Wee at the open house were state health and unity committee chairman Ling Tian Soon, state investment, trade and consumer affairs committee chairman Lee Ting Han, Pekan Nanas assemblyman Tan Eng Meng, Bekok assemblyman Tan Chong, as well as other state MCA leaders.
