by TMR / Pic by BERNAMA

MALAYSIA Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) has requested the Selangor state government to reconsider the decision on the realignment of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project.

In a statement issued on behalf of the MRL chairman, the rail firm said the statement made by Selangor exco Izhar Hashim was “a letdown” as it had made countless engagements with the Selangor government and its related agencies to discuss plans to revert to the original alignment for the ECRL project.

According to MRL, it has also addressed all issues raised by various state agencies in the reversion to the ECRL’s original alignment, along with solutions and mitigations involving environmental protection, minimising social impact and improving rail connectivity, among others.

“MRL has presented a definitive solution to the issue of safeguarding the Gombak Quartz Ridge by designing an alignment that traverses through an existing road for ECRL to cross the quartz ridge. Encroachment into the quartz ridge by ECRL is now a non-issue,” MRL stated.

The Malaysian Reserve (TMR) had earlier reported that the Selangor government is still not convinced with the current federal administration’s proposal to revert the ECRL to its original planned route that has been labelled as costly.

The state government agreed to the current planned route that runs through the state after it was modified during the last federal administration to save cost, but the current government wants the route to be reverted to the original plan, citing investment already made.

Selangor exco in charge of public transport Ng Sze Han said the state is not fully convinced of the need to revert the alignment to the original route.

He said Selangor and federal officials met several times last year, but the state government has not agreed to any changes and is not expected to change its mind.

Nevertheless, MRL said its meetings and engagements with various state agencies were still fruitful and that it had presented a better option to establish the most efficient national rail system integrating both ECRL and Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd while minimising any environmental and social impacts towards the people.

However, MRL is also of the opinion that the decision by the exco will only further delay the construction of ECRL’s Section C (Mentakab Port Klang) and potentially delay the scheduled overall completion of the project by December 2026.

“MRL would like to reiterate that the construction of the ECRL is of national interest and not for the benefit of any state in particular.

“It is envisioned as a game changer and catalyst for socioeconomic growth that narrows the economic inequality between the West Coast and East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia,” it added. — TMR