Report: Guan Eng shocked over Azmin's ECRL announcement
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng has expressed shock over Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali's announcement this morning on the cancellation of the China-backed RM81 billion East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project.
Malaysia Gazette quoted Lim as saying that Azmin might "not have been informed" of certain matters previously decided by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad on the project.
"I was shocked to see his (Azmin's) announcement, but maybe that it is the position," he was reported as saying after launching the 37th National Customs Day celebrations in Kelana Jaya today.
Lim also refused to confirm whether Azmin was present during Thursday's cabinet meeting in which the decision to cancel ECRL was reportedly made.
"I don't want to say that (Azmin was absent), because it may give rise to negative speculation. I just want to state that he might not have been informed of Mahathir's intentions.
"In any case, I will act on Mahathir's instructions," he said, adding that an official announcement on the project is expected to be made sometime next week.
Earlier today, Azmin revealed that the cabinet had decided to cancel the ECRL as the government would have to incur an annual RM500 million in interest otherwise.
"The cabinet made the decision because the cost to develop ECRL is too high, and we do not have the financial capability (to see it through) at this moment.
"And if this project is not cancelled, the interest that the government would have to pay reaches to nearly half-a-billion ringgit.
"This is something that we won't be able to do," he said after launching an event organised by the Silat Cekak Hanafi Association in Kuala Lumpur.
On Thursday, news outlet Sin Chew Daily quoted a cabinet source who said the government is also discussing compensation with Chinese firm China Communications and Construction Company (CCCC), the contractor for the project.
Down right pathetic!
Wonder if Azmin is doing a PKR-style in overruling PH PM decision as he had done in overruling PKR President Kak Wan decision on the PKR candidates for the last Sarawak Election? Has this fast becoming his habit?
These are senior ministers...if they don't have their act together, I wonder whether there is infighting happening. All they have to remember every morning when they walk into their office is that they are there to do their best (as a government team) for their people and country! And when they go to bed at night, to feel good that is exactly what they did for the day...and sleep well and have peace with God. Please have better communication with all government ministers and parties, there is no 'I' in teamwork. And have more faith in your citizens... We appreciate what the government is doing and we can also decide for ourselves whether it is for the people or selfish party politics!