Bukit Gasing rep slams Wee over long-running ECRL alignment dispute
Following the presentation in Parliament earlier this week of the latest updates on the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), Bukit Gasing assemblyperson Rajiv Rishyakaran has hit out at Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong in the long-running dispute over the alignment from Mentakad to Port Klang.
The DAP representative called on the minister to stop delaying the implementation of the ECRL by trying to revert the alignment back to the northern option.
"Every day that he refuses to accept the southern alignment is a day of delay to the overall completion of the project.
"He should stop being so stubborn and accept the southern alignment that was approved by the government in 2019 (ECRL 2.0), as it has more merits and credibility than the original northern alignment," claimed Rajiv (above) in a statement today.
The original northern alignment was proposed during the BN era but reversed when Pakatan Harapan was in federal power.
Wee had proposed that the ECRL revert to its original alignment but this is still opposed by the Selangor government through which most of the disputed Section C runs.
Wee told the Dewan Rakyat this week that Section C is already running a year behind the other portions of the ECRL.
"I am very curious why the transport minister is so insistent on reverting to the original route. Does he have other motives?" asked Rajiv.
He urged Wee to reveal all the land acquisition that has to be done for the northern corridor and the owners of the land that are set to gain financially from the move.
When Wee made his presentation, he was assailed by Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman who claimed that bumiputera contractors were being left out of the ERCL development.
'Stop playing games'
Rajiv strongly urged Wee to "stop playing games" and not to gamble with the people’s future as well as the country's economic development.
"Wee must provide solid and rational arguments to back his decision and not resort to flimsy justifications, as public transportation is an amenity that is supposed to last for 100 years. Building something sustainable and beneficial is crucial.
"He cannot simply dismiss what has been approved at his own whim and fancy," he said.
Southern alignment vs north option
The DAP politician repeated Harapan's claim that the ECRL 2.0 in 2019 managed to reduce the project’s original cost of RM65.5 billion to RM44 billion, by a substantial RM21.5 billion.
"Among the savings includes avoiding the Pahang-Selangor tunnel that is estimated to cost RM8 billion. The distance of the southern alignment is also 15km shorter than the northern alignment.
"Secondly, the Southern alignment passes through the upcoming Pulau Carey port and Westport, which is more impactful than the northern alignment station ending at Jalan Kastam, Klang, not directly connecting through the port.
"Thirdly, the northern alignment crosses the water catchment area of Selangor, something the Selangor government has repeatedly objected to and is trying to protect," he said.
Rajiv pointed out that while Wee spoke of the environmental and social impacts of the project, the minister has conveniently overlooked the water catchment area.
"Millions of residents in KL and Selangor would agree that we should not jeopardise the water catchment area," he added.
Rajiv said that the southern alignment had already obtained the approval of both the state and federal governments in 2019 when the Harapan administration revised the ECRL route.
"All local councils in Selangor have been making the necessary preparations for the construction of the ECRL through the southern alignment, particularly the Sepang Municipal Council, making this alignment ready to go once Wee accepts it," he added. - Mkini
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