en.Wedoany.com Reported - The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project in Malaysia is projected to contribute a cumulative added value of RM80 billion to RM90 billion to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2047.
Deputy Minister of Economy, Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah, stated that this contribution will primarily stem from the development of 21 economic acceleration projects, which are expected to serve as the main drivers of economic returns along the ECRL corridor. In a recent interview with Bernama, he noted that several ECRL stations have been identified as new logistics hubs, including a 213-acre (86.2-hectare) site in Pasir Puteh, Kelantan; a 68-acre (27.5-hectare) site in Kemaman, Terengganu; and a 50-acre (20.2-hectare) site in Temerloh, Pahang. These three areas will be upgraded into logistics hubs. Mohd Shahar emphasized that the ECRL is not merely a transportation infrastructure project, but a catalyst for driving sustainable economic and investment development, as well as creating high-quality job opportunities.
Furthermore, Mohd Shahar said the government is committed to ensuring that the ECRL project not only enhances the nation's transportation network but also serves as a catalyst for local economic development, in line with the Madani Economy framework. As part of efforts to strengthen local industries and create employment opportunities along the ECRL corridor, the first phase of the Perodua logistics hub in Paya Besar, Kuantan, is expected to be completed by 2029. He added that the ECRL should be viewed as a complementary infrastructure project that perfects Malaysia's overall logistics ecosystem, rather than a tool to replace existing international shipping routes. The project also aims to narrow the development gap between the East Coast and the West Coast by strengthening the logistics network.
According to Mohd Shahar, the relevant measures currently being implemented have been incorporated into the 13th Malaysia Plan, and through the "Malaysia Development Composite Index" and the MyRMK system, allocations and projects can be distributed more precisely and effectively to areas in need. This national infrastructure project, costing RM50.27 billion, is expected to be completed in December 2026 and begin operations in January 2027. The 665-kilometer ECRL project will deploy 11 six-car Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trains for passenger services and 12 Electric Locomotives (E-Loco) for freight purposes.
