Negeri exco accuses minister of neglecting the state with ECRL realignment
Negeri Sembilan state executive councillor Teo Kok Seong has accused Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong of neglecting the state by strongly supporting the realignment of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL).
Teo told Malaysiakini that Wee was "hard sell" towards the idea of reverting the ECRL alignment during a National Physical Planning Council online meeting on June 11.
The Bahau assemblyperson argued that Negeri Sembilan would be completely...
Negeri Sembilan state executive councillor Teo Kok Seong has accused Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong of neglecting the state by strongly supporting the realignment of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL).
Teo (above) told Malaysiakini that Wee was "hard sell" towards the idea of reverting the ECRL alignment during a National Physical Planning Council online meeting on June 11.
The Bahau assemblyperson argued that Negeri Sembilan would be completely excluded and could not gain any benefits if the ECRL was reverted to its original alignment.
Under the originally planned alignment by BN, the ECRL would pass through Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, and Selangor.
The Harapan government altered the alignment so that it wouldn't go through Bentong and Gombak as initially planned, thus avoiding the need for a costly 17.8km tunnel through the Klang Gates Quartz Ridge.
Instead, from Mentakab in Pahang, it would run south to Kuala Klawang in Negeri Sembilan before entering Selangor.
“Once the alignment reverts back to Pahang and skips Negeri Sembilan, our people here will not get any benefits," said Teo.
“The developing industrial town of Nilai and the rural area of Kuala Klawang also would not be able to enjoy the potential developments,” he lamented.
Therefore, he said it is fair and reasonable for the government to maintain the current alignment which was altered by the then Harapan government for the sake of the Negeri Sembilan people.
Teo said that, although Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail had proposed reverting the ECRL alignment, the federal government has the final say and is obliged to take care of the interests of every state.
“The Pahang MB has the right to make such a request as he stands for his state... but Wee represents the federal government. He should consider the interests of each state, including Negeri Sembilan,” he said.
Teo reiterated that he had expressed the state's objections of reverting the ECRL alignment to Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin during the June 11 meeting.
He said the premier promised to take into account the people's interests and to set up a committee to study the raised opinions.
“Therefore, it is necessary for Wee to explain clearly to the Negeri Sembilan people whether the ECRL will pass through the state or not,” he said.
Following an objection to the realignment by Umno’s Jelebu MP Jalaluddin Alias, Teo called on all state's MPs and assemblypersons to look beyond partisan interests and to reject the realignment to defend the interests of the people.
Malaysiakini has contacted Wee for a response.
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