'We'll talk later' - Wee tells Tajuddin over lack of bumi involvement in ECRL

 

PARLIAMENT | Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong was at the receiving end of an unexpected salvo fired by Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman who pressed him on bumiputera involvement in the Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project.

Wee (BN-Ayer Hitam) was in the midst of responding to PKR's Hulu Selangor MP June Leow when Tajuddin interjected.

"I want to say thank you to the minister, but I want to ask one question.

"The participation of bumiputera contractors in the project is non-existent. There isn't any. Please look into it.

"Minister, don't be too self-satisfied (syiok sendiri). What about the participation of bumiputera contractors and participation of local contractors in ERCL?" Tajuddin asked in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Deputy speaker Rashid Hasnon indicated to Tajuddin that it was Leow's turn to proceed, and Wee simply told the Pasir Salak MP, "We'll talk later".

In May, Tajudddin was removed as the Prasarana Malaysia Bhd chairperson after an off-colour press conference about an LRT collision that left hundreds injured and six in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Section C may be delayed by a year

This exchange enlivened an otherwise straightforward question in which Leow had asked Wee to update Parliament on the current status of the ERCL project.

"Until Aug 31, 2021, the progress of the entire construction project stands at 23.96 percent against the scheduled progress of 25 percent.

"This is slightly later than scheduled as a result of the implementation of the movement control order," said Wee.

He said that currently, the Transport Ministry is expecting the completion of Sections A and B on schedule, that is, on Dec 31, 2026.

However, the completion of the disputed Section C is expected to experience a delay of 12 months, on Dec 31, 2027.

Elaborating, he said for Section A which is from Kota Bharu to Dungun, the construction of six stations namely Kota Bharu, Pasir Putih, Jerteh, Bandar Permaisuri, Kuala Terengganu and Dungun was approved on May 14, 2030, and as of Aug 31, 2021, progress has reached 11.59 percent compared to the plan of 12.01 percent.

"Physical works are also being actively carried out in Section B from Dungun to Temerloh. Since resumption in July 2019, the progress of physical work in this section has reached 28.04 percent compared to the scheduled 26.9 percent, covering earthworks and construction of tunnels in Dungun, Paka and Kuantan.

"Preliminary work for the construction of tunnels in Gambang, Sri Jaya, Gedung Siam and Paya Pasir is also underway," added Wee.

He said for Section C, which is from Temerloh to Port Klang, the government had reviewed the best alignment to ensure the ECRL has a maximum economic impact.

Wee announced earlier this year that Section C had reverted to the original alignment as proposed in 2016-2017 under the BN government but was changed during Pakatan Harapan's time in power.

"The proposed alignment back to the original northern alignment, namely Temerloh-Gombak-Serendah and extended to Port Klang, was considered by the cabinet on Aug 21, 2020, and the National Physical Planning Council on Aug 13, 2020, as well approved in principle by the cabinet on Aug 21, 2020, and Sept 3, 2020."

Wee said the Transport Ministry had held 37 consultation meetings with 17 agencies in Selangor, proposed technical solutions to address social and environmental issues such as the Permatang Quartz and Batu Dam. - Mkini