RANTAU POLLS | Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng has teased the public about "very good news" for Negeri Sembilan in the form of a re-route for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL).
This, he said, hinged on whether former finance minister Daim Zainuddin could successfully renegotiate a lower cost for the ECRL deal with Beijing.
"(If it is successful) this is good news, not just for the country, but also Negeri Sembilan.
"I mention Negeri Sembilan because this project, the route will change. This is good for Negeri Sembilan," he said.
He declined to elaborate further, and when asked by the press about how the ECRL would reach Negeri Sembilan, responded by putting a finger to his lips.
The ECRL is a BN-era project which former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak said would cost RM55 billion, and would be financed by a loan from China.
It was meant to connect Kelantan and Terengganu to the Klang Valley via Kuantan.
Lim made the announcement at a ceramah in Kuala Sawah, Rantau tonight.
He said if the people want the "good news", they should support Pakatan Harapan to form a "clean, democratic, fair government".
He also said that the government has succeeded in negotiating the price of the ECRL down to RM46 billion.
However, he said Daim is now trying to lower the price even further to RM35 billion or RM36 billion.
Lim's teased re-route echoes a proposal by former Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd CEO Sarbini Tijan.
Tijan had suggested last year that the ECRL project be abandoned, and that the government revive the Gemas-Tumpat line instead, which had been deactivated after being damaged by floods in 2014.
Gemas is a town in Negeri Sembilan. - Mkini
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