KUALA LUMPUR: Environmental NGOs are relieved that the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project has been cancelled.
Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali said today that Malaysia was cancelling the RM$81 billion project with contractor China Communications Construction Co Ltd.
It was one of the big projects under former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak that met with resistance from the public.
Some felt that it would result in Malaysia being heavily indebted to China.
Many environmental NGOs were concerned that the project would have a devastating impact of the environment.
Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) executive director I.S. Shanmugaraj said: “The high speed train line would cut through several major rivers and dissect hundreds of hectares of protected forest in the Central Forest Spine (CFS).
“The CFS contains the major forest complexes of Titiwangsa-Bintang-Nakawan Range, National Park to Eastern Range, the Southeast Pahang Swamp Forest, Tasik Chini and Tasik Bera and the Endau Rompin National Park-Kluang Wildlife Reserve.
“Animals of a variety of species roam freely in this area.
“The ECRL project would cut through these biodiverse coastal forests and wetlands.
“The railway line would endanger tigers, elephants and other rare species.
“By ending this project we are saving this huge ecosystem of forests and wildlife.
“Therefore, we are happy that the project is cancelled.”
Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam Malaysia (Peka) president Puan Sri Shariffa Sabrina Syek Akil said the group welcomed the cancellation of ECRL.
In July last year, Peka led a coalition of 12 environmental NGOs, including MNS, to protest against the ECRL in Bentong.
“To say we are happy is an understatement, but we must always be vigilant about attempts that wreak havoc on our environment.
“This railway project would have affected so much of our ecosystem as it pushes through the forest complex.
“Wildlife roaming through these areas can get hit by a fast moving train.
“Are we going to block the animals’ travel paths?
“We have a forest spine but if this project had gone on, it would break that area through deforestation and not to mention poachers would come in droves and kill what wild animals we have left.”
Shariffa said the previous government’s argument that the project would alleviate traffic jams on the highway to the east coast was not valid.
“They like to use the excuse of helping the people with these projects, but I travel on the Karak highway often to the east coast and it really isn’t as jammed as they argue.
“It is only jammed during the festive seasons. And, there are many other options for travelling to the east coast such as buses and flights.
“And, there is already a railroad going to the east coast.
“They don’t need to build a new one. They can just upgrade it. Instead they want a big project that will cut through our forest areas.
“Yes, they can have a big project but the negative impact on the environment is much greater and cannot be easily reversed.”
She said the financial impact was also uncertain, given the country’s debt situation.
Political analyst and veteran economist Professor Dr Hoo Ke Ping agreed that the financial impact would not be favourable to the country.
Even after the project was completed, he said, the debt would neutralise all the benefits.
Dr Hoo said the argument for the ECRL had always been that it was for the people, and that it would boost the economy, but is that really the case?
He said given the present high debt situation, Malaysia should not get embroiled in a big projects debt trap.
“The interest rate is already high. Do we want to be in more debt to pay off our debt?
“They talk about helping the people, but they are really focusing on the goods and services area.
“Even after the project is done, I do not think we can afford to repay a debt this high.”
Dr Hoo gave three reasons why he thought Malaysia was better off without the ECRL.
“The number one factor is there will not be enough retur
ns in terms of passenger travel and economic growth that will enable the paying back of the cost of the project, including interest.
“The second factor is the illusion of real development and job creation.
“There will be a bigger outflow of money than one coming in.
“The bulk of the jobs is the rail, coach system and expertise. They will import more steel and workers from China will be the ones getting the jobs. More money will flow out.
“Thirdly, the ECRL is ultimately China’s geopolitical strategy. It is really for their benefit. To have a rail line from Yunnan to Kuala Lumpur is only to make it easier for China to be here. That alone is a good enough reason that I am glad that the ECRL is cancelled.”
He said he hoped that the government was serious about the cancellation because the project would result in the destruction of the environment and wildlife, and push Malaysia deeper into debt.