‘Opposition plans to scrap ECRL may dampen economic progress’

KUALA LUMPUR (April 3): The country’s economic progress, especially in the east coast, would be dampened if the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) is scrapped.

“As for us here, the project will be a blessing as it will greatly reduce the travel time from the east coast to Kuala Lumpur,” Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Sharkar Shamsudin said, Bernama reported yesterday.

He also added that the transport of goods and cargo will be greatly improved with the ECRL.

Charirman of the Pakatan Harapan opposition pact Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday said that the ECRL mega project was a waste of resources and may scrap it if they win GE14. (Read story here)

“We will review the ECRL project, whether or not it is necessary. If it is not, then we will stop it where it has already been built,” said Dr Mahathir.

The ECRL spans 688km and is supposed to cover parts of Selangor, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan.