Keep ECRL issues low profile, says trade chamber

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 13): Both the Malaysian and Chinese governments' handling of sensitive issues surrounding the proposed RM81 billion East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, which is a matter of great concern to many parties, should be kept to a low profile, said the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) today.

MCCC, in a statement today, called for non-governmental people and organisations to allow sufficient space and time for both governing authorities to carry out negotiations, which it hoped could end up minimising losses or achieving a win-win solution.

"The chamber, which has been implementing the concept of promoting economic and trade development and investment cooperation between the two countries for a long time, is very concerned about the development progress of various domestic Chinese-funded projects.

"MCCC is optimistic about the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, and will do its best to assist the two countries in their all-round cooperation and common prosperity process by making full use of private enterprises and cooperating with the pro-business policy of the new government.

"In the long run, if ECRL and other relevant capital intensive projects can be handled amicably even under such challenging circumstances, it will demonstrate the political wisdom of the leaders of both Malaysian and Chinese governments. And, this will create a friendly investment and economic environment for all foreign investors including Chinese investors," said MCCC.

The ECRL project with contractor China Communications Construction Co Ltd (CCCC) had come into the limelight following conflicting statements made by ministers including Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, and Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad last month. — theedgemarkets.com

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