ECRL project at 82.45% completion, ahead of schedule, says Loke

• Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the next phase of track installation, a 100km stretch from Maran to Bentong, is set to begin this month, and is expected to be completed by the end of June.

KUALA LUMPUR (May 6): The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, which spans Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Selangor, has reached an overall progress rate of 82.45% as of April, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said.

He said a key milestone was achieved with the completion of 400km of track installation along the main alignment from Maran, Pahang, to Kota Bharu in Kelantan, two and a half months ahead of schedule.

“We extend our congratulations to the ECRL and CCCC (China Communications Construction Company Ltd). When the prime minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) asked me whether the project is on time, I told him, ‘Not just on time, it’s ahead of schedule’,” Loke said.

He was speaking at the launch of the ECRL operations and maintenance (O&M) job opportunities and PLKI-ECRL offer letter ceremony, which was also attended by Anwar.

Loke said the next phase of track installation, a 100km stretch from Maran to Bentong, is set to begin this month, and is expected to be completed by the end of June.

He also said that electrification works commenced in May 2024, and will be followed by the installation of signalling, telecommunications and information systems in preparation for the ECRL’s operational phase.

Meanwhile, Loke said as part of human capital development, CCCC has pledged RM12 million to support the ECRL Industrial Skills Training Programme (PLKI-ECRL) for the O&M phase, aiming to train 3,200 individuals.

“This year alone, 210 Malaysian trainees from diverse backgrounds will undergo an intensive one-year training in Liuzhou, China,” he said.

The first batch of 102 trainees is scheduled to leave in stages from May 15.

The training covers both technical and non-technical disciplines, with modules including theory, practical work and hands-on experience in real railway operations.

Upon completion, trainees are guaranteed employment with the ECRL, in roles such as assistant station attendants, signalling technicians, assistant train drivers, overhead line technicians and electric locomotive and electric multiple unit maintenance technicians.

“Even more encouraging, the trainees in this programme are guaranteed employment with the ECRL upon completing their training,” Loke said.

The minister also announced that the ECRL operating company, involving Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) as the project owner and CCCC, has been officially established and registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia as ECRL Operation Sdn Bhd.

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