KUALA LUMPUR: Ummo has described the move by the Pakatan Harapan government to cancel the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) as disappointing.
It’s Youth Chief, Dr. Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the move is akin to punishing then people in the states of Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan just because they did not choose the PH government.
He adds that need for a fast and modern land transport infrastructure to link the East coast and the West coast of the Peninsula was an important growth catalyst in the form of an economic multiplier as well as allowing the entry of foreign investors.
Asyraf said indirectly it can boost the local economy and create job opportunities for locals.
The Barisan Nasional government launched the RM55 billion ECRL Project (currently RM66.7 billion) as a high-impact initiative under the 11th Malaysia Plan.
The two phase 688km project would connect Port Klang and Pengkalan Kubor, Kelantan and was expected to be completed by 2024.
It would add 1.5 per cent to the country's GDP and was expected to create over 80,000 jobs.
“Not all legacy of the previous leadership should be abolished due to political vengence until it victimises the east coast people who are entitled to enjoy equal economic development, which should not only be centered in the West Coast.
“Umno Youth calls upon the PH government to set aside their political ego and return to the to the negotiating table with the Chinese Government to find the best solution for the ECRL project to be continued.
“Any allegedly unfavorable term could be re-negotiated so that the people are not victimised through the cancellation of project which had already kicked-off,” he said in a statement.