PM: Both Azmin and Guan Eng were right on ECRL

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has defended both Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali and Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, who appeared to have made contradictory statements on the fate of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project.

"What happened was that both are right, but the timing was wrong," Mahathir told reporters today after chairing the Bersatu supreme council meeting in Petaling Jaya.

"The decision was already made (by the cabinet). So the ministers who attended the cabinet meeting made a statement that is not exactly what was reported by the media.

"The media reported something else and stressed different points. 

"But what he was explaining was that we need to have good relations with China, because China is our partner, a good market for us and a source of FDI," he added, without specifying which minister he was referring to.

Mahathir also pointed out that Malaysia was still in talks with Beijing on the project and that both parties have to be given time.

"Some decisions have been made, but now we have to find a better solution," he said.

On whether a timeframe had been set, Mahathir said the finance minister will make the appropriate announcement when the time comes.

"We leave it to Lim... After he has completed negotiations, we will make an announcement," he said. 

The ECRL is a massive rail project commissioned by the previous BN administration, which the current Pakatan Harapan administration believes that the country simply cannot afford.

Last week, Azmin had confirmed news reports that the project was off. 

However, Lim refused to confirm or deny what was said, citing instructions from Mahathir.

It is widely believed that despite the cabinet's decision to scrap the project, intense negotiations between Putrajaya and Beijing are still taking place behind the scenes. - Mkini