HANGZHOU: Malaysia and China have agreed to a proposal to extend the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project from Kota Baru to Rantau Panjang, Kelantan, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said the project would not only boost the economy of Kelantan’s interior areas, which had previously been left behind, but also provide a direct transport link with Thailand.
“Further discussions on the ECRL proposal will be held with all stakeholders before it is brought to the Cabinet for consideration,” Anwar told Malaysian media after concluding his working visit to China Thursday (Sept 24).
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the proposal received positive feedback during his discussions with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
The ECRL is a 665km land transport project providing fast inter-regional services, linking Peninsular Malaysia’s West Coast and East Coast regions.
The ECRL alignment, which will begin in Kota Baru and end at Port Klang, involves 20 stations — 10 passenger stations and 10 stations serving both freight and passengers.
Also present at the press conference were Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Malaysian ambassador to China Datuk Norman Muhamad.
Anwar said his bilateral discussions with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Thursday were important as they covered strategic issues affecting both countries and the Asean region, as well as information on key matters arising from the meeting between United States President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is on an official visit to Washington DC.
Asked whether US tariff restrictions and trade pressure were discussed, Anwar stressed that Malaysia remained neutral and had chosen to continue direct dialogue with the United States, of which China was aware.
Meanwhile, he extended his congratulations to the 22 Malaysian participants competing at the 48th WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 competition, which runs until the end of this week.
Earlier, Anwar launched the Malaysia Pavilion at the fifth Global Digital Trade Expo (GDTE) at the Hangzhou Grand Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The Malaysia Pavilion, which brings together 15 exhibitors, including four government agencies, showcases Malaysia’s strengths and innovations in digital trade, artificial intelligence, cloud services, smart healthcare and cross-border e-commerce.
The participation of Malaysian companies, co-ordinated by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), highlights the capabilities and strengths of the country’s digital and technology-based companies in competing globally.
The Prime Minister left for Kuala Lumpur Thursday afternoon after completing his three-day working visit to Shanghai and Hangzhou. — Bernama
