Stopping the ECRL now will be a colossal waste

As a supporter of the East Coast Rail Link project, I am positive the government, along with the parties involved, are working their hardest in finding the best solution to move forward with the project.

As reported by the media, the project has already achieved significant progress and stopping the project now will be a colossal waste.

I also laud the government for seriously looking at reducing the massive cost of the project. However, it would be a futile exercise if the Chinese government is not agreeable to renegotiate the contract on the project.

Since China, through the Exim Bank of China, is providing 85 percent of the capital for the project, it is in my opinion that the government should begin negotiations with China as soon as possible.

As things are currently progressing, Malaysia is the only party actively looking for ways to reduce costs. Without cooperation from China, we can’t even be sure if the project can proceed at a lower cost.

With so much focus on finding ways to cut the cost of the project, I am also afraid the government would lose sight of why the project was conceived in the first place.

Too much cost cutting would mean major changes would have to be made. This would also mean compromising on the alignment, which would result in diminishing economic and social values. - Mkini