THE East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) will give farmers and fishermen better market access, says Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Speaking at the opening of the Farmers and Fishermen Day national celebration, Najib said the efficient transport system will benefit farmers and fishermen and could eliminate the need for middlemen.

“This is something that they (the opposition) don’t talk about,” he said.

Najib decried claims that he had “sold out” the country because of his recent trip to China and the investments he secured, saying the “RM144 billion investments benefit whom if not Malaysians”.

In his trip to Beijing in November last year, 14 agreements were signed worth RM144 billion in investments from China.

Najib said his efforts had even led to the Chinese government allowing the export of Malaysian durian into China.

“I asked China to open its market for us to export our durian there. Today, our durian, the Musang King, is worth more than RM100 per kg. 

“I even met a businessman who told me demand was more than supply,” Najib said.

Last year, export of Musang King to China amounted to RM60 million. It is expected to be RM70 million this year.

Najib also announced a one-off RM7 million allocation for farmers’ and fishermen’s associations. – September 28, 2017.