THE suspension of work on the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) has left business operators in Pahang disappointed, as they had high hopes it would stimulate economic development in a state ruled by the federal opposition Barisan Nasional.

Approved by the Najib administration but now being re-looked by the new Pakatan Harapan government after the 14th general election, the ECRL was supposed to be a game-changer to boost the fortunes of east coast states, which lagged behind their west coast counterparts.

The project would also be a source of revenue and create jobs at a time when the Pahang government fears it will be ignored by the PH federal government.

But its ballooning cost and lopsided terms have forced the PH government to suspend and review the project while it works to undo the excesses of the BN administration and concentrate on paying off a RM1 trillion debt.

But for firms in the Pahang Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce, the ECRL is a lifeline, and the group hopes the project will proceed, albeit at a lower cost.

Its chief, Andy Chiew Yoke Theng, said the ECRL was key to driving infrastructure development much needed in east coast states.

“The east coast is lagging behind the west coast of the peninsula.

“The ERCL is an important infrastructure project for us, especially since the East Coast Expressway is still not completed. We hope the government completes it soon,” he said.

Chiew said the government should look at the ECRL pragmatically and consider the people’s need for it.

He suggested that the government consider completing the ECRL in stages if it could not afford to build the entire 688km track at one go.

The government has halted all work on the ECRL, pending a review of its scope and final cost.

The project has been criticised for being one of the most expensive rail projects in the world.

Once complete, it is expected to connect Port Klang and Kuantan to Kelantan.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said recently, in its entirety, the project would cost RM81 billion, rather than the projected RM55 billion from the previous government.

Contractor China Communications Construction Sdn Bhd began laying off Malaysian staff last week following the suspension order.

The ECRL is among the China-backed projects Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is slated to discuss with Chinese leaders when he visits Beijing next month.

Kuantan Fishermen’s Association chief Chong Chin Fung said the ECRL would benefit the community by reducing the time needed to transport their catch from Pahang to Kuala Lumpur.

“We have been relying on lorries to transport our products to Kuala Lumpur. With the ECRL, it would be more efficient and could lower transport costs,” said Chong.

However, Kuantan Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry vice-president Kwan Siong Yong said the ECRL was not crucial for exporters.

“Our trade volume is not high and we already have Kuantan port, so why do we need to export from Port Klang?” said Kwan.

He said the ECRL would operate at a loss if there was not enough trade volume.

The furniture manufacturer said most manufacturers were concerned about labour issues rather than the ECRL.

He hoped the government would instead focus on reviewing its foreign labour policies. – July 16, 2018.