You cannot rush a slow train, Selangor exco tells Liow

Selangor exco member Elizabeth Wong has questioned the rush to proceed with the East Coast Railway Line (ECRL) project.

She was responding to Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai asking the Selangor state government to expedite the land acquisition for the project.

“I want to ask Liow, what's the rush?

“Are your foreign investors upset with your failure to deliver? This 'high speed' let down only has one track, so how do you expect things to move fast?” Wong added in a statement.

To date, exco member in charge of tourism, environment, green technology and consumer affairs said neither the project proponent nor the minister has officially submitted any proposal to the state government.

“There has been no application from ECRL or the ministry for land acquisition,” she added.

Wong pointed out that Sections 20 and 20A of the Town and Country Act 1976 state that all development planning must be presented and discussed with the state government before proceeding.

“The fact that the prime minister officiated the project without the state government's consent and the approval of various other agencies is a major violation of the law.

“Unlike Putrajaya, the administration of Selangor values transparency, performs our due diligence and adheres to laws and procedures,” she added.

As a minister, Wong said, Liow (photo) should know better, and not politicise the issue “just because BN is short of money” with regard to the coming general election.

The exco member said if the federal government cannot follow processes and procedures, it should not complain about things being slow.

“We cannot fast track an illegal project. This is Selangor, where we do things better,” she added.

According to Wong, Selangor is the biggest supporter of rail-based development and has shown its commitment in facilitating and supporting various projects in the past, in line with its aspiration for a low carbon and smart Selangor state by 2025.

“However, for the ECRL, we have major concerns on the haphazardly planned and ill-intentioned rush for the project.

“This project is riddled with environmental issues, deforestation risks, forced-eviction on land, route feasibility issues and many more problems.

“The federal government getting an RM10 million cheque last month from the appointed contractor does not mean one should disregard existing laws and processes,” she added.

Wong said a national project of this magnitude and enormous costs to the people deserved more in-depth studies and discussions, especially with the people and local stakeholders.

“There is no need for such a rush. Unless this is part of a billion-dollar bailout that needs to be sealed before the general election. In that case, Minister Liow, you must answer to the rakyat,” she added. -Mkini