In forfeiting its right to select the contractor for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, Malaysia has denied local players from gaining experience in the field, said PKR Bandar assemblyperson Azan Ismail.

"To me it is unfortunate we do not have the right to determine the contractor for a project in our own country.

"In fact, this situation will sideline local companies and deprive them of benefiting from any transfer of knowledge or technology," he added...