“Malaysia targets stronger investments with the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) Economic Accelerator Projects. Minister Tengku Zafrul confirms 85% project progress and Phase 1 completion by 2027.”
Kuala Lumpur, 02nd September 2025, 01.45pm – The government is planning to leverage the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) as more than just a transportation project, with new strategies to attract investments and develop logistics hubs and industrial parks along its route.
Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said these efforts will be carried out under the Economic Accelerator Project (EAP) initiative, positioning the ECRL as a key economic driver for Malaysia’s East Coast region.
“The ECRL is more than just a rail line; it is an economic catalyst. These initiatives will ensure the project not only improves connectivity, but also creates job opportunities and raises living standards,” Zafrul said in a statement on Monday.
He added that the government will closely monitor the implementation to maximise the project’s benefits for the country.
Meeting with Main Contractor in China
Earlier this week, Zafrul, who joined Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s delegation to Tianjin, China, met with China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC), the main contractor for the ECRL.
Among the topics discussed were the project’s overall progress and key milestones.
ECRL Progress at 85%
As of July 2025, the ECRL project is 85% complete, Zafrul confirmed. Phase 1 of the 665-kilometre railway is on schedule for completion in January 2027.
The project also achieved a major breakthrough with the Genting Tunnel—the longest rail tunnel in Southeast Asia—successfully completed last month.
“Everything has gone smoothly so far, and we remain confident in meeting the timeline,” Zafrul added.
