A special committee should be set up to audit the construction of the RM55 billion East Coast Rail Line (ECRL), which was announced in Budget 2017, said PAS Pokok Sena parliamentarian Mahfuz Omar.

There are lots of questions that need to be looked into, despite the project appearing to be beneficial to the people, Mahfuz is quoted as saying in Sinar Harian today.

"What is the rationale for the RM55 billion construction - at a cost of RM91 million per km. The whole project of Electric Train Service (ETS) with dual electrified track from Negri Sembilan to Johor was only priced at RM3 million," he said.

"So, I urge a parliamentary special committee to review the matter," Mahfuz told Sinar Harian.

Back in July, Sarawak Report accused Najib's administration of colluding with the main project contractor, China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), to hike up the cost of the ECRL from RM30 billion to RM60 billion, in order to secretly pay off 1MDB’s debts.

Works Minister Fadillah Yusof denied the cost was increased to RM60 billion so as to settle the 1MDB debts.

"I wonder how a minister can deny it when the project included in the budget is just RM5 billion less than what was mentioned in Sarawak Report," he said.

"Is this the most expensive rail in the world? I don't know, but is it (possible) that the government want to builds a gold rail?" Mahfuz asked.

In his budget speech, Prime Minister and Finance Minister Najib Abdul Razak announced that the ECRL would be built in phases.

The 600-km rail will connect townships such as Port Klang, ITT Gombak, Bentong, Mentakab, Kuantan, Kemaman, Kerteh, Kuala Terengganu, Kota Baru and end in Tumpat.