Ensuring ECRL’s success together: M’sia and China sign joint agreement to split any losses equally

Game changer: (Fom left) CRRC Dalian Co Ltd president Gao Zhongde, CCCECRL managing director Kong Qi, Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing, Loke, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibolah and CEO of MRL Datuk Seri Darwish Abdul Razak posing behind a model of the ECRL train and the project’s new logo in Putrajaya. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star

PUTRAJAYA: A joint operating agreement has been signed between Malaysia and China to ensure that the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) that connects Kota Baru with Port Klang will not become a white elephant, says the Transport Minister.

The companies – Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) and China Communications Constructions ECRL Sdn Bhd (CCCECRL) – will split any losses during operations equally, if any, while Malaysia keeps the bulk of any profit generated, said Anthony Loke.