Dr M: Wait for ECRL talks to conclude

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he was unable to reveal details of ongoing negotiations regarding the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project until talks are concluded.

Speaking to reporters after chairing the Pakatan Harapan leadership council meeting in Putrajaya today, Mahathir said he does not know when the process will end.

"The status (of ECRL) is that it is now being negotiated, and I can not say what is happening because I have to wait for the result," he said.

"I do not know (when it would be concluded), but as soon as possible".

He said this when asked to respond to media reports that China was willing to cut the cost of ECRL by nearly half, from around RM81 billion.

When asked whether Malaysia would accept this was to hypothetically happen, Mahathir replied: "Hypothetically, I do not accept (your question)."

Cabinet has imposed a gag order on all ministers, except Mahathir, from talking about the ECRL.

The gag order came following contradicting statements on the project made by Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali and Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng recently.

Azmin Ali had on Jan 26 said the cabinet had decided to cancel the ECRL due to the high annual interest of about RM500 million that the government would have incurred.

However, later the same day, Lim said he was "shocked" at Azmin's statement and that the latter might "not have been informed" of certain matters decided by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad on the project.

Lim later clarified that he was shocked by the timing of Azmin's statement and not by its content.