Dr M: Saddled with heavy debt, ECRL will 'impoverish' us

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the East Coast Railway Link (ECRL) project will impoverish the nation.

“We are already burdened with a heavy debt so we cannot pay. It is not because we do not want to honour the contract.

“This contract will cost us more than RM100 billion. It will impoverish us,” he added.

The premier said paying the compensation would not be as huge as the amount of debt the country would need to bear if it proceeded with the contract.

Mahathir said Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng would provide a clearer picture on the status of the project soon.

[More to follow] -Mkini