KOTA BHARU (Oct 23): A total of 85 grade G1 and G2 Bumiputera contractors registered in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang were selected for a draw to carry out small work packages such as installing signs, providing street furniture, installing fences and landscape management (turfing) work at 15 stations of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project.

Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak said this move demonstrates MRL and ECRL’s commitment to strengthening the participation of local Bumiputera contractors, while ensuring that the economic benefits of the project are directly felt by the local community.

“MRL and ECRL have strengthened their efforts in enabling the value of this mega project contract to some extent provide benefits and positive impacts to capable small Bumiputera contractors along the ECRL line.

“The involvement of small Bumiputera contractors will also empower skilled workforce talent that can drive the future of the construction industry in Malaysia as well as support the survival of Bumiputera contractors,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

He added that MRL will continue to work with stakeholders in ensuring as much contract value as possible for small Bumiputera contractors until the end of the construction phase, in line with the wishes of the federal and state governments which prioritise the participation of local and Bumiputera contractors in the construction of the 665km ECRL project.

Earlier, Darwis attended the draw for the Bumiputera G1 and G2 subcontractor work packages in implementing the appropriate scope of work at two ECRL stations in Kelantan which was officiated by Kelantan state secretary Datuk Dr Tengku Mohamed Faziharudean Tengku Feissal at his office here on Thursday.

Similarly, the draw involving six ECRL stations in Terengganu will be held on Oct 29 at the Terengganu state secretary’s office, while the draw involving seven ECRL stations in Pahang is scheduled to take place on Oct 30 at the ECRL Basecamp KotaSAS.

The draw involving five ECRL stations in Selangor is expected to take place by the end of November this year.

The construction of the ECRL project has recorded an overall progress of 88.08% as of September this year, in line with the schedule for the completion of the ECRL Phase 1 line from Kota Bharu to the Gombak Integrated Terminal by December 2026 and operational in January 2027.

The ECRL Phase 2 line between Gombak and Port Klang is expected to be completed by December 2027 and fully operational in January 2028.

Source: theedgemalaysia.com