PUTRAJAYA must focus on bilateral and trade issues with China now that the impasse over the East Coast Railway Link (ECRL) project is sorted, said Anwar Ibrahim.

“Generally the government is satisfied but we have to move on with bilateral issues, trade and investment with China.

“Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s first visit and recent second visit to China was positive.

“He gave the same views in terms of value of bilateral relations, trade and investments,” he said after attending the Funding Diversity @ Sunway University forum today.

On Friday, Malaysia reached an agreement with China to reduce the construction cost for Phases 1 and 2 of ECRL to RM44 billion. The new cost is a RM21.5 billion reduction from its original cost of RM65.5 billion.

Under the new deal, the train route will be shorter by 40km and includes stops in Negri Sembilan. The previous route through Bentong was scrapped.

Dr Mahathir suspended the project shortly after Pakatan Harapan took over the government last May, citing its exorbitant cost and “unfair” terms that his predecessor Najib Razak had signed off on. 

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said this cost reduction will benefit Malaysia and lighten the country’s financial burden.

As part of the renegotiated deal, Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd signed a supplementary agreement with China Communications Construction Company Ltd to resume the project.

The agreement covers the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning aspects of ECRL. 

“This was achieved after months of negotiations between the companies involved as well as the governments of Malaysia and the Republic of China,” said PMO. – April 17, 2019.