PUTRAJAYA: The Transport Ministry is convinced that the states involved in the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project will collaborate in realising the 665km mega project.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said they would continue to engage with the state governments, including Selangor and Pahang, following yesterday's announcement that Section C had been reverted to its original northern alignment, which was proposed in 2016 and 2017.
The 201km northern alignment will see the ECRL traverse from Mentakab to Port Klang via Bentong, Gombak and Serendah.
"We love to work with all state governments and I am confident that many of them are professional officers and politicians. I am confident that the menteris besar and their state governments will give us their fullest cooperation.
"We cannot wait. We have to make the decision as we have been waiting for eight months. To us, we do it in the best interest of our country," said the minister.
Wee said it was crucial that the federal government could start the project fast so as to save money and avoid financial losses of up to RM1.25 million daily.
As for Selangor's objection on the alignment, Wee said the ministry gave its commitment and its best to resolve environmental and social impact issues via 37 consultations with 17 agencies.
"We tried our best. Whatever issues were all taken care off by the ministry's team. We have done our best.
"Beyond the environmental and social issues, it is now a political decision," said Wee, adding that the ball is now in their court to make the political decision relating to the project.
On Monday, Selangor Investment executive councillor Datuk Teng Chang Khim had taken to Facebook to voice his dissatisfaction with the northern alignment.
In a post, Teng wrote: "Selangor will not acquire the land for the federal government if it insists on the Barisan Nasional era northern alignment for ECRL."
Teng alleged that the federal government had behaved like a big bully for unilaterally making the decision after failing to convince the state government of the northern alignment.
He said under Section 20A of the Town and Country Planning Act, the federal government shall consult the state's planning committee for such a proposed development.
"A meaningful consultation is one that satisfies the needs of both parties and not one that is favoured by one party without the permission of the other.
"The Selangor state government has completed the preliminary work required for acquisition of land for the southern alignment as requested by the ministry.
"The ministry's flip-flop decision has wasted all the effort and time of the state government spent on the southern alignment. The insistence on the Northern Alignment and the hurriedness of ministry are unjustifiable and obviously fishy," claimed Teng.