July 27, 2019

Anna Murray 

The belt and road initiative is a global development strategy established by the Chinese Government involving infrastructure and investment across 152 countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

The project in Malaysia was formerly stopped last year by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. He considers this to be an unfair Chinese mega-project approved by the former Prime Minister, Najib Razak.

However, in April 2019, the partners agreed to proceed with the project again with newly approved budget. Now, the overall construction cost dropped to 44 billion ringgit ($10.7 billion USD) from 65.5 billion ringgit ($15.9 billion USD). Overall length of 640km (398miles) with China Communications Construction Co. Ltd. as the lead constructor, this railway infrastructure links Port Klang on the straits of Malacca with the city of Kota Bharu in Malaysia, making Malaysia a part of the belt and road initiative.

At the ceremony in the coastal district of Dungun, the ambassador of China stated that the agreement to resume work on the project had boosted confidence in Malaysia among foreign investors right away because the belt and road initiative has been glorified for its potential to speed up economic development in a lot of developing countries.

Ambassador Bai said the East Coast Rail Link is expected to be completed in December 2026 and potentially would double the number of Chinese tourists visiting Malaysia.

Lastly, Malaysia’s Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng mentioned on Monday, Beijing had offered them more BRI infrastructure investments; Kuala Lumpur would consider them “if the price is right.”

Photo:Webshot.