
ECRL project hits 85pc milestone, Chief Secretary to Govt orders tight monitoring to avoid delays to 2027 launch
This was conveyed by Chief Secretary to the Government (KSN) Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar during the 32nd MRL Board of Directors meeting, held in conjunction with its retreat, which began yesterday in Melaka.
He said MRL was also tasked with ensuring that no disruptions, such as rail encroachments by irresponsible parties, occur, as these could affect the project's schedule and delay the commencement of operations, which is targeted for early 2027.
'I am confident that this ECRL project will become a landmark of national pride and a catalyst for economic revitalisation along its alignment and surrounding areas, directly benefiting the people and the nation.
'This is in line with the 'Kesejahteraan' (prosperity) element in the MADANI principle, which can only be realised through a whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach via federal-state-private sector synergy,' he said in a Facebook post today.
In another post, Shamsul Azri said the MRL retreat was important to focus on the direction and operational targets of the ECRL train journey.
'Many things are being planned by the MRL in collaboration with various parties to ensure an efficient rail operating ecosystem, as well as offering job opportunities to local children.
'In addition, this project will open up opportunities for business activities, spur economic growth and provide better connectivity between the West Coast and East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia,' he said. — Bernama
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Free Malaysia Today
5 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Provide ‘detailed data' if you want MotoGP extended, says Yeoh
SIC's CEO, Azhan Shafriman Hanif, said that following the decision to give up the hosting rights for the Formula 1 grand prix, Malaysia should not 'make the same mistake with MotoGP'. (EPA Images pic) PETALING JAYA : The government's decision on whether to extend Sepang International Circuit's (SIC) contract to host the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) will depend on detailed data showing the race's return on investment, says youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh. While the event had received encouraging support, Yeoh said, SIC must convince the finance ministry that the race provides comprehensive benefits. 'When we invest, we are not signing only in terms of tourism. It should help support the economy and job opportunities for Malaysians,' Bernama quoted her as saying after an event in Putrajaya today. Yeoh said the MotoGP generates about 4,500 temporary jobs annually, but the government also wanted to see long-term benefits, such as skills transfer to Malaysians. 'So, that's why data collection is important, and SIC must ensure that all this is recorded to convince the finance ministry that it is not a waste,' she said. It was reported yesterday that SIC was in talks with rights holder Dorna Sports to renew its MotoGP contract, which expires in 2026. SIC's CEO, Azhan Shafriman Hanif, was also reported as saying that following the decision to give up the hosting rights for the Formula 1 grand prix, Malaysia should not 'make the same mistake with MotoGP'. On another matter, Yeoh expressed confidence in the Malaysian badminton squad ahead of the World Championships in Paris from Aug 25 to 31. She said athletes under the Road to Gold (RTG) programme had the potential to deliver strong performances, but cautioned against injuries owing to the tight competition calendar. Among the shuttlers in the RTG programme are Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, Pearly Tan-M Thinaah, Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Jemie Lai. Separately, 80 athletes will represent Malaysia at the SEA Deaf Games in Jakarta, competing in six sports – futsal, athletics, badminton, tenpin bowling, chess, and table tennis.


New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Malaysia hopes cross-border e-hailing with Singapore can be implemented, says Loke
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is open to introducing cross-border e-hailing services with Singapore, but the initiative must be pursued jointly by both countries, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke. "In principle, we hope that cross-border e-hailing can be implemented," he told the Dewan Rakyat today. He was responding to Tebrau member of parliament Jimmy Puah's question on cross-border traffic congestion and e-hailing drivers. Loke said that the government was ready to discuss the matter further with Singapore, but cautioned that it could not be a unilateral decision. "As a matter of principle and policy, we are ready to discuss with Singapore to enhance cross-border connectivity, but this cannot be carried out unilaterally. Both parties must agree before it can be implemented," he added. The minister explained that any proposal to allow cross-border e-hailing required in-depth discussions at the government-to-government level. "We hope to continue these discussions and hope that Singapore will respond positively so that this idea can become a reality," he said. On Aug 3, it was reported by a news portal that cross-border e-hailing services were one of the matters discussed between Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi and Singapore Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow on Aug 1. However, the island state's Land Transport Authority (LTA) clarified that no decision was made on the issue and that it has no plans to fully liberalise Singapore-Malaysia cross-border point-to-point transport via ride-hail services.


Free Malaysia Today
5 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Foreign investors extend Asian stock buying streak with US$389m inflow
In Malaysia, foreign investors extended their net selling streak for the sixth consecutive week, with a net outflow of RM566.1 million. (AP pic) KUALA LUMPUR : Foreign investors continued to net buy Asian stocks for the second consecutive week, recording a net inflow of US$389.4 million (RM1.65 billion), according to MBSB Investment Bank Bhd. In its fund flow report for the week ended Aug 15, 2025, it reported that only India and Thailand registered net foreign outflows, while all other countries saw net inflows. South Korea recorded the largest inflow at US$587.5 million (RM2.48 billion) after President Lee Jae Myung and the US President Donald Trump announced their first summit meeting on Aug 25 in Washington to discuss strengthening alliances and economic security partnership. 'Based on the tariff deal reached last month, the two leaders will advance partnership in the manufacturing sector, including in semiconductors, batteries and shipbuilding, as well as critical minerals and technology,' it said. Leaders of South Korea and Vietnam also pledged to deepen economic cooperation. Indonesia also posted net buying activities for the second straight week with a US$412.3 million (RM1.74 billion) inflow after signing a free trade agreement with Peru on Monday in Jakarta. Similarly, Taiwan posted a net inflow of US$90.4 million (RM382 million), marking an eighth consecutive week and the longest foreign buying streak since the start of available data in 2021. In contrast, India recorded the region's largest outflow at (-US$347.8 million or -RM1.47 billion), extending its losing streak to five weeks for the first time since March 2025. Nonetheless, despite the foreign withdrawals, S&P Global Ratings upgraded India's long-term sovereign credit rating to 'BBB' from 'BBB-', the first upgrade in 18 years, citing strong economic growth, improved monetary policy credibility and sustained fiscal consolidation. On the domestic front, the investment bank said foreign investors extended their net selling streak for the sixth consecutive week with a net outflow of (-RM566.1 million), marking a 50% drop from last week's RM1.14 billion outflow. 'Foreign investors were net sellers on every trading day, with outflows ranging from (-RM94 million to -RM167.4 million). 'The largest outflow was recorded on Friday, followed by Thursday with (-RM103.5 million), Tuesday with (-RM101.5 million) and Monday with (-RM99.8 million), while Wednesday recorded the smallest outflow,' it said. The top three sectors that recorded net foreign inflows were plantation (RM77.7 million), property (RM52.7 million) and financial services (RM42.2 million). Meanwhile, the top three sectors that recorded the highest net foreign outflows were utilities (-RM209.5 million), telecommunication and media (-RM185.5 million) and healthcare (-RM152.7 million).