“Malaysia’s ECRL project is 86% complete as of July 2025, with Phase 1 set for 2027 and Phase 2 for 2028. The RM10.21b rail network boosts ESG goals and cuts CO₂ by 1 million tonnes yearly.”
Kuala Lumpur, 08th August 2025, 02.00pm – The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) has achieved 86.07% completion as of July 2025 and remains firmly on schedule to meet its operational deadlines, Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) chairman and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar announced on Thursday.
Phase 1 of the 665km railway — from Kota Bharu to the Gombak Integrated Terminal — is slated for completion in December 2026, with operations beginning in January 2027. Phase 2, extending from Gombak to Port Klang, is expected to wrap up by December 2027 and commence service in January 2028.
“Insya-Allah, these plans will materialise, bringing both convenience to the people and economic spillovers to the nation,” Shamsul said at the launch of the RHB–MRL 360-Degree ESG Financing Ecosystem.
The ECRL, fully owned by the Ministry of Finance (Incorporated), is a cornerstone of Malaysia’s transport infrastructure, featuring 41 tunnels, 154km of elevated tracks, and 28 wildlife crossings. These measures aim to minimise environmental impact while preserving forest reserves, water catchment areas, and wildlife habitats.
Once operational, the fully electrified network is projected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by one million tonnes annually.
First SDG Sukuk in Malaysia’s Transport Sector
In February 2024, MRL became the first company under the Ministry of Finance — and the only transport infrastructure project in the country — to be financed via green Islamic instruments. The RM10.21 billion Sustainable and SDG Sukuk Programme marks Malaysia’s first government-guaranteed SDG sukuk.
To date, RM7.4 billion has been raised to fund construction across Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, and Selangor. Proceeds are reinvested in ESG-compliant deposit instruments under RHB’s ESG Fixed Deposit Programme.
Shamsul said the collaboration with RHB positions Malaysia as a leader in sustainable Islamic finance and provides a model for integrating ESG principles into large-scale infrastructure projects.
“The ECRL is not just a rail project; it’s a national commitment to sustainable and balanced development under the Malaysia Madani framework,” he added.
Also attending the event were Public Service Department director general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz, RHB Banking Group chairman Tan Sri Ahmad Badri Mohd Zahir, and MRL CEO Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak.
