THE Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) top brass have been summoned to Putrajaya to explain the financial details of the RM55 billion East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, The Star reported.

“Scrutiny is on the expenses incurred and draw-down so far by MRL for the project,” the daily quoted a source as saying.

“Initial work on all eight packages has started, but the amount of work done may not match the amount drawn down.”

The ECRL project is managed by MRL, which is a Ministry of Finance standalone company created for the ECRL project.

The Chinese government is currently providing 85% of the funding for the project, with Malaysia slated to pay the remaining 15% after seven years.

The source also said that an additional loan agreement worth RM10 billion was drawn up with the Chinese government before the 14th general election.

“The additional RM10 billion is meant to add infrastructure to the project so that it can accommodate a double track in future.

“It is currently a single-track project,” said a source.

Former prime minister Najib Razak had said the ECRL would be a “game changer” for Malaysia as it would significantly cut travel times to and from the east coast of the peninsula.

The ECRL is expected to be completed by 2024. – May 16, 2018.