KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 16 — The East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) project has achieved 76.06 per cent progress as of November, Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak said.
The progress means the project is on track to be completed by December 2026 for the Kota Bharu to Gombak Integrated Terminal portion, and then until Jalan Kastam in December 2027, he added.
“Pahang, specifically, has recorded significant progress with 78.82 per cent as of November 2024.
“ECRL is a high-impact project that will connect industrial parks, ports, major cities and tourism zones in addition to improving connectivity with the present rail network in Peninsular Malaysia,” he said at the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between UCYP University and MRL.
Darwis represented MRL and while UCYP University was represented by vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Muhammad Fauzi Mohd Zain.
The event was witnessed by Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.
Darwis said the ECRL project will enter the preparation for operation phase and it is estimated that nearly 1,500 locals will be needed to fill up positions requiring various expertise, including technical, management and operations.
He said today’s MoU was fitting with efforts to develop a skilled workforce needed for the ECRL project and the setting up of the Pahang Rail Academy as a training centre focused on the rail and related industries.
“As a start, the development of a training module based on the Chinese railway system will be assisted and implemented together by ECRL project main contractor, China Communications Construction (ECRL) Sdn Bhd (CCCECRL) and Liuzhou Railway Vocational Technical College (LRVTC), a training institute in China.
“LRVTC is a renowned and experienced railway vocational institute in Liuzhou, China. This college is focused on railway engineering, technology and management and has complete training facilities,” Darwis said.
The partnership will bring a positive implication to the development of human capital, producing competitive talent and workforce capable of fulfilling the needs of a project like ECRL, he added.
— Bernama
