KUANTAN: The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), which is expected to be operational in early 2027, will accelerate the shift of cargo movements from road to rail to help ease congestion and environment-related concerns.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said once cargo was extensively moved by rail between the east coast states and the Klang Valley, it would reduce the movement of huge lorries on the roads.
"ECRL is an important factor for us to switch cargo transportation from road to using railway transport. It is an important policy which will be implemented by the Transport Ministry to encourage more rail freight transport.
"It will not only save costs and be environmentally friendly but improve road safety aspects by reducing the number of huge trucks on the road especially along the stretch between the east coast and Klang Valley.
"As we know, the trucks have to travel along the Karak highway (Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway) and when passing through certain stretches including near Genting Sempah, it will often result in congestion and pose a threat (for lorries) due to geographical factors," he told reporters during a joint press conference with Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail after the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park's (MCKIP) 10th anniversary celebration and the 'Year of Investing in China" programme here today.
Loke said that while ECRL would be an important element to ferry passengers and transport goods, the main priority of the project was to connect Kuantan Port and Port Klang in Selangor to boost cargo transportation at both ports.
"This is the main objective of the ECRL which is to connect both ports and MCKIP will be an important industrial park along the ECRL alignment.
"Besides MCKIP, the ECRL will pave the way for the development of other industrial areas and logistics hubs along the stretch especially in Pahang. The main stations along the stretch will not only focus on passengers but serve as hubs for cargo including in Mentakab and Bentong.
"Upon completion, the ECRL will be the catalyst for industrial areas in Pahang especially in terms of connectivity, which is a vital element for cargo transportation. The ECRL along with the strategically located Kuantan Port will be a plus factor in attracting investors to Pahang," he said, while assuring the ministry's commitment in assisting the Pahang government in developing the industries here.
Meanwhile, Loke reiterated that China's investment in developed countries including Malaysia through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) should not be viewed as a "debt trap" but instead seen as a strategic partnership.
"The ECRL is among the BRI which has been carried out. It is the choice of any government and when we signed the agreement, we pledged a commitment to be responsible.
"Certainly, when we embark on a certain project, there will be some advantages and it should not be seen as a debt trap to China. We have to be wise and optimise the project. For example, for the ECRL, it is important how we maximise the value of the project to develop the country.
"States with the rail alignment should utilise the ECRL and Pahang is among those which are moving forward especially with the MCKIP, Kuantan Port and potential new industries along ECRL," he said when responding to allegations that the BRI is a potential debt trap by China for developing countries.
On the ECRL, Loke said the project progress had reached 40 per cent ahead of its 2026 deadline and estimated start of operations in early 2027.
"The ECRL's physical works will be completed in 2026 before testing and commissioning that will require several months. The train operation between the east coast and Gombak will begin in 2027," he said.
The 640km-long ECRL, launched in 2017, will traverse the east coast states of Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu through to the Klang Valley.
On MCKIP's 10th year anniversary, Loke said the industrial park is a testament to
the robust economic ties between Malaysia and China. The park, over the years, had grown to become one of the largest and most successful joint ventures between both countries, he said.
"When Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was in Beijing last week, he announced that Malaysia secured RM170 billion worth of investment commitments from China. I would like to thank the China firms for their commitment and confidence in Malaysia," he said.
Also present were China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Communist Party Secretary Liu Ning and Chinese ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing.
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