Latest news with #ECRL
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Starchild: All Aboard! Why trains are a hit with Malaysian kids
Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, 10 Train is one of the modes of public transport in Malaysia. The service plays an important role in helping people get to school, work and even go on holidays. A train is a series of connected vehicles that run on tracks and can carry people or goods across short or long distances. Unlike cars or buses that travel on roads, trains don't get stuck in traffic. They move smoothly and can be faster, safer and even more comfortable for long trips. Hubert Chua Way Bo, 9 One of the most exciting train routes in Malaysia is the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL). When it is completed next year, the ECRL will connect the east coast states of Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang with the west coast states like Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. This means people living in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia can reach the west coast in less time, making it easier to visit family, travel for work or explore different parts of the country. Malaysia also has other important train services like KTM Komuter for daily travel around cities, ETS (Electric Train Service) for inter-state journeys, and the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and LRT (Light Transit Transit) systems that help people move around in the Klang Valley. Do you know that the Shinkansen, also known as the Japanese bullet train, is famous for its high speed? The fastest Shinkansen can reach a top speed of 320km/h and it has been in service since 1964. Trains are good for the planet too – they produce less pollution compared to cars and planes. Recently Starchild asked readers to send in letters on the topic, My Dream Train. Here's what they had to say. Asher Wang Qi Chuen, seven, says: 'My train is designed as a hybrid cargo train that runs on both gas and electricity. It's very colourful, has a star logo and can go very fast with wheels of different sizes. My cargo train transports cargo to various destinations quickly. It's the top three fastest and coolest trains in the world.' Asher Wang Qi Chuen, 7 'My dream train is a compact and cosy train made for family travel. It has a small lounge, a telephone room, a toilet and a bedroom with quadruple decker bunk beds for the family to sleep. It is powered by electricity and doesn't emit harmful smoke,' says older sibling, Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, 10. 'My dream train is big, fast and very colourful with 20 carriages. One carriage is a library. Another is a playground with slides and trampolines. There is also a food carriage which has lots of food including different types of main course, ice cream, soup and fresh fruit for everyone to enjoy while they travel.' Lyu Liang Fu, 10 'My dream train can continue on its tracks non-stop using solar power. It can take people to all places without polluting the environment. I hope one day this dream train becomes a reality and I would be able to eat as many burgers as possible on my way home,' writes Lyu Liang Fu, 10. ITEM: Taste is one of our five senses. We taste food using our tastebuds, which are on our tongue. There are five main tastes – sweet, sour, salty, bitter and savoury (umami). What is your favourite food? Is it something your mother or father cooks? Or maybe something you eat at a restaurant? You can also write a story about a funny, yucky or super tasty food. Maybe you tried something new for the first time! Draw your favourite food or a food that made you feel happy, surprised or even a little scared. Email your contributions to lifestyle@ by July 25. Please put 'STARCHILD: My Taste Buds' in the subject line of your email. Scanned drawings should be in jpeg format, with a resolution of 200dpi. Your contributions must carry your full name, age (open to children aged 12 and below only), gender, phone contact, and address. Instead of handwritten letters, please type out your letters.
Malaysian Reserve
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Malaysian Reserve
Traffic diversion on Karak Highway to make way for construction work of ECRL project
A temporary traffic diversion on the Kuala Lumpur–Karak Highway (KLK) involving the stretch from KM25.75 to KM26.4 heading towards Kuantan (from Gombak to Genting Sempah) has been activated recently to make way for the construction works of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project. Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) director-general Datuk Sazali Harun said the diversion involves converting the existing three-lane route into a one-way traffic flow towards Kuala Lumpur, while maintaining the same total lane capacity to ensure smooth traffic movement throughout the implementation period. He said LLM, along with concessionaire AFA PRIME Berhad and Malaysia Rail Link (MRL), have conducted several series of continuous monitoring since the traffic diversion was activated. 'Based on the latest monitoring, carried out on July 14, 2025, it was found that the traffic situation at the location was orderly, under control and smooth moving,' he said in a statement today. Meanwhile, he said the Traffic Management Plan (TMP) design for the diversion had been reviewed and confirmed by road safety auditors through the Road Safety Audit (RSA) Level 4 Part 1. 'RSA Level 4 Part 2 will be implemented on July 30 to assess compliance with implementation standards and to review any proposed improvements based on the progress observed at the site,' he said. Therefore, the public is advised to adhere to all safety signage at the site and to plan their journeys in advance to avoid traffic congestion. — BERNAMA
The Sun
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Traffic diversion on Karak Highway for ECRL construction
KUALA LUMPUR: A temporary traffic diversion on the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway (KLK) from KM25.75 to KM26.4 towards Kuantan has been implemented to facilitate construction work for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project. The diversion converts the existing three-lane route into a one-way flow towards Kuala Lumpur while maintaining total lane capacity. Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) director-general Datuk Sazali Harun stated that continuous monitoring by LLM, AFA PRIME Berhad, and Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) confirmed orderly traffic conditions as of July 14, 2025. 'The traffic situation at the location was orderly, under control and smooth moving,' he said. The Traffic Management Plan (TMP) design underwent a Road Safety Audit (RSA) Level 4 Part 1 review. RSA Level 4 Part 2 will be conducted on July 30 to assess compliance and propose improvements. Motorists are advised to follow safety signage and plan trips ahead to avoid congestion. - Bernama
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
First ECRL electric trains and locomotives to arrive by end-2025
DUNGUN: The first two Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trains and two electric locomotives (E-Loco) for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project are set to arrive by the end of this year. Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) confirmed the delivery, which will support commissioning tests ahead of passenger and freight operations starting in June 2026. MRL chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak stated that an additional nine EMU sets and 18 locomotives will be delivered between April and May 2025. 'In total, there will be 11 EMU trains for passenger services and 20 locomotives for freight operations,' he said during the launch of the 2025 POLYCC TVET Mega Fiesta at Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Polytechnic (PSMZA). Darwis also announced that MRL will send 109 students from higher learning institutions to China for the ECRL Industrial Skills Training Programme (PLKI-ECRL) between August and October this year. Trainees are guaranteed jobs with the ECRL project, offering a starting salary of RM3,000. 'In May, we sent 101 students from polytechnics and MARA institutions for the same programme. PSMZA alone had around 60 students selected,' he added. The collaboration between TVET institutions and industry partners is vital in developing a skilled workforce ready for global challenges. – Bernama
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia set to draw minimum RM30bil investment from China: Juwai IQI
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is poised to attract another major investment of at least RM30 billion from China this year driven by investor confidence and improving economic relations between the two countries, according to new data from Juwai IQI. Juwai IQI co-founder and group chief executive officer Kashif Ansari said the surge in investment followed the official visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Malaysia in April. The visit saw important agreements signed in the semiconductor and aviation sectors. Kashif said the visit was seen as a pivotal moment that set the direction for increased foreign direct investment (FDI) activities throughout the year. "In 2024, China's total investment to Malaysia reach RM31 billion, more than double the amount recorded in 2023 and the highest since 2015. We expect another year of at least RM30 billion in Chinese investment in 2025. "This time, battery and solar component plants will most likely account for a larger share," he said in a statement. He said the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project was a prime example of long-term value creation with the project being managed by China Communications Construction. The latter employs more than 16,000 Malaysians directly including joint contractors, Bumiputera companies and carrying out 40 per cent of the public works. "Once it is complete, projections say it will boost Malaysia's gross domestic product by 3.8 per cent. "And while job numbers are difficult to predict, the GDP growth would likely generate more than 90,000 new jobs to the economy. For example, Malaysia's 5.1 per cent GDP growth in 2024 created about 127,000 new private sector jobs," he said. Kashif pointed out Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone as the big winner as the state attracts large-scale industrial and logistics projects. "The zone is a major point of interest for our corporate clients in China, especially manufacturers. We get the same questions from company after company that is considering moving to the area. "Chinese companies' top three questions about the special economic zone have to do with the headline tax incentives on offer, which flagship zone best matches their industry and the speed of cross-border cargo clearance." He added that the strong inflow of direct investment will have a significant impact on the real estate market, with high demand expected for industrial and logistics property. He said the new steel plant and battery facility are examples of projects that are driving surging demand for large-scale industrial land. "The fact that construction forms 52 per cent of total Chinese inbound capital flows suggests direct and robust investment into assets like factories, transport and logistics centres. "The property markets in the Johor special economic zone, Greater Kuala Lumpur and Selangor are all likely to benefit," he added.
