BRI railway to better link Malaysia

Chinese-aided ECRL project expected to create more jobs, boost economy

Zurainda Moon, a middle-aged fruit farmer in Gombak in Selangor, Malaysia, is looking forward to the scheduled launch of the East Coast Rail Link, or ECRL, a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative. One of the railway segments being built is not far from his home and will ease the transport of his durian crops, he said.

Construction of the 665-kilometer railway, the largest economic cooperation project between China and Malaysia, started in 2017 and is expected to be fully operational by January 2028. The rail network will connect the east coast states of Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang to Selangor and Port Klang on Peninsular Malaysia's west coast.

China Communications Construction Co, the Chinese contractor, told China Daily the first segment of the route should be completed as scheduled in December 2026.