THE Selangor government will pursue negotiations with 89 families expected to be affected by the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project. 

Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari said besides those families residing in Kampung Delek and Kampung Sungai Sireh in Port Klang, the state government has identified 86 burial plots along the same route. 

“Construction at the location could kick off in 2025 or 2026, so we have time for negotiations with certain parties. Assuming the route is not realigned, we will provide suitable homes to ensure their lives are not disrupted. The state government has been trying its best to avoid this route, but it seems inevitable. 

“But it’s alright, I will keep to my promise. We will find the best solution, and while we still have time, we will identify housing areas to be developed, land and homes we can replace, or homes for purchase at a certain cost,” he said. 

He said this during the Jelajah Kita Selangor Penyayang programme at the Seri Perantau flats in Port Klang today. 

The ECRL route in Selangor involves a 90.72km stretch that passes through the districts of Gombak, Hulu Selangor, Kuala Selangor and Klang. 

Responding to a statement by Auditor-General Nik Azman Nik Abdul Majid that Selangor and Sabah have yet to repay National Trust Fund (NTF) loans for the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines, Amirudin insisted that Selangor did not borrow from the NTF for that purpose. 

He said Selangor used its own funds for the purchase. 

“I think there has been some mistake (with the statement). We withdrew RM100 million (from state funds) and I don’t think the purchase of the vaccines was made with NTF (loans). 

“What we received was money from Mosti (Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry) to manage vaccine sites in terms of preparing halls, food, and repair of facilities for PICK (National Covid-19 Immunisation Program). It was not a loan but a grant from Mosti. 

“There is RM41 million left (from the Mosti grant). We will give it back to the Finance Ministry because it is an allocation given by the ministry and we can return it,” he said. – Bernama, February 18, 2023.