World · Malaysia Bureau
Malaysia, China agree to explore extending ECRL to Rantau Panjang
The proposed extension of the East Coast Rail Link will be discussed with all stakeholders before being considered by the Cabinet, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said.
LSN Malaysia ·
Malaysia and China have agreed in principle to explore extending the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) further north to Rantau Panjang in Kedah, according to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The proposal represents a potential expansion of the major infrastructure project that currently connects Port Klang in Selangor to Kota Bharu in Kelantan.
Anwar said the proposed extension would undergo comprehensive discussions involving all relevant stakeholders before advancing to Cabinet consideration. The consultative process is expected to assess the feasibility and implications of the route expansion.
The ECRL is a flagship connectivity project under the Belt and Road Initiative, aimed at improving transport links along Malaysia's east coast. The extension to Rantau Panjang would further integrate northern Peninsular Malaysia into the rail network, potentially boosting regional economic development and trade capabilities.
The Malaysian and Chinese governments have maintained close coordination on the ECRL project since its inception. The proposed extension follows discussions between senior officials and reflects both nations' commitment to enhancing bilateral infrastructure cooperation.
No timeline has been announced for the stakeholder consultations or Cabinet review. The project will require detailed engineering assessments and cost-benefit analyses before final approval.