#ecrl

Economic affairs minister credits feedback from Selangor and Pahang residents for getting a better deal.

COMMENT | Eventual losses likely to be several times bigger than for 1MDB.

UPDATED 1.54PM | Apart from saving RM21.5 billion, Putrajaya also gains other concessions from the new deal.

UPDATED 2.50PM | Under the new deal, CCCC will have to share the losses and be involved in operations and maintenance.

UPDATED 2.01PM | But the PM adds that Putrajaya did press Beijing to import more palm oil.

Ahmad Yakob says the Kota Bharu and Tok Bali stations will spur economic development in the state.

YOURSAY | ‘Prove that the project is more than an expensive white elephant.’

This is as a new route would involve additional cost, the MB says.

He says the ECRL renegotiation began long before the by-election was announced.

UPDATED 2.35PM | This follows a supplementary agreement between Malaysia and Chinese construction firm CCCC.

COMMENT |The ECRL is economically not feasible, even if the cost drops to RM36 billion.

RANTAU POLLS | Loke says a decision on whether the project will resume will be made when PM visits China.

UPDATED 12.27AM | This depends on whether a lower cost for the deal can be renegotiated, says finance minister. 

He also denies any discontent within Harapan over him being picked to head negotiations.

UPDATED 2.32PM | PARLIAMENT | This is taking into account the loan and its interest, says Mahathir. 

UPDATED 2.35PM | PARLIAMENT | Questions on the project's high cost should have been raised as the previous administration entered the deal, he says.

PM reiterates possibility of resuming ECRL project, but declines to reveal exact figure of desired price.

UPDATED 3.00 PM | Guan Eng says China has offered cost reductions which could hopefully lead to a settlement.