ECRL matters still open for discussion, says Azmin

Putrajaya's discussions with China on the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project are still ongoing, said Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali.

"The cabinet has decided this matter should be open for discussion. There are new developments that we need to discuss mutually and we should allow the parties involved to continue with the discussions.

"And once we conclude, we will come back to the cabinet and inform the public about the decision," Azmin told reporters in Subang Jaya today.

Previously there was confusion regarding the ECRL's status late last month, after Azmin stated that the government had decided to cancel the project, while Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said otherwise.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad eventually said that the matter was still being negotiated.

Meanwhile, on whether the project could see a local developer being appointed, Azmin said it would be premature to speculate on such matters.

The ECRL was a BN-era project backed by China, which the Pakatan Harapan government claims was highly overpriced.

Mahathir had said that paying compensation for cancelling the project would be cheaper than the debt Malaysia would be saddled with if the ECRL were to be continued. - Mkini