A high-level delegation from China is in Malaysia to discuss the East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) project as well as the gas pipeline projects under the Finance Ministry unit Suria Strategic Energy Resources Sdn Bhd (SSER), according to a government source.
“I was informed that the talks start today,” the source told Malaysiakini.
SSER had awarded the two pipeline projects - the Multi-Product Pipeline (MPP) and the Trans-Sabah Gas Pipeline (TSGP) - worth RM9.4 billion to China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau (CPPB).
The delegation's visit comes in the wake of the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) head Daim Zainuddin's visit to China earlier this month, where he met Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Putrajaya later clarified that Daim was acting in the capacity of a special envoy while Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said his close associate was in Beijing to renegotiate loans and contracts with Chinese companies that were “too costly”.
Mahathir is scheduled to make his maiden official trip to Beijing next month, after being sworn in as prime minister for a second time on May 10.
His administration has suspended Chinese-backed projects worth US$23 billion.
Putrajaya is adamant not to continue with these projects unless the prices involved are reduced. This included the US$20 billion ECRL to be built by the state-owned Chinese Communications Construction Company.
The pause button has also been hit with regard to work on the pipeline projects.
Yesterday, it was reported that China's foreign minister would hold talks with Mahathir en route to meetings in Singapore with Asean foreign ministers.
According to reports, Wang's itinerary for Tuesday included courtesy calls on Mahathir and Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah, as well as a dinner with CEP members.
Malaysiakini has contacted the Prime Minister's Office for further clarification on the delegation. - Mkini
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