RANTAU: Finance Minister, Lim Guan Eng has dropped a hint that Negri Sembilan will benefit from the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project once it is concluded.
He said, the line for the 688km rail link that would connect Port Klang in Selangor with Pengkalan Kubor in Kelantan would be changed if the project continues with its cost reduced.
"The cost for the ECRL project could be lowered by RM10 billion and if it is realised, then this will be a good news not only for the country, but also for the people in Negri Sembilan.
"I mention Negri Sembilan because if the project is continued, the rail line will be changed.
"To the members of the press, please don't ask me further, I can't say much. But this is good news to Negri Sembilan," he said during a ceramah program for the Rantau state seat by-election held in Kuala Sawah here, tonight.
However, when asked to comment further after the programme, Lim only placed his finger over the lips, in a gesture of silence.
In February, Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) chairman Tun Daim Zainuddin had said that a negotiation team from China was expected to visit Malaysia to discuss the ECRL project.
It was reported that the project could be carried out at a cost of RM35 billion which was far lower than the RM55 billion agreed earlier.
Meanwhile, Lim also said that the sale of superyacht Equanimity, which was seized from fugitive financier Low Taek Jho or Jho Low, showed that the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) fund scandal did happen.
"The 1MDB scandal is not a lie. If it is, then we won't be able to sell it," he said.
The superyacht was sold at US$126 million to Genting Malaysia and the transaction will be paid by end of this month.