'We'll talk later' - Wee tells Tajuddin over lack of bumi involvement in ECRL
PARLIAMENT | Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong was at the receiving end of an unexpected salvo fired by Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) who pressed him on bumiputera involvement in the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project.
Tajuddin had interjected as Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Rashid Hasnon was about to call on June Leow (Harapan-Hulu Selangor) to ask Wee an additional question during...
PARLIAMENT | Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong was at the receiving end of an unexpected salvo fired by Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) who pressed him on bumiputera involvement in the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project.
Tajuddin had interjected as Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Rashid Hasnon was about to call on June Leow (Harapan-Hulu Selangor) to ask Wee an additional question during the question-and-answer session in Parliament today.
"I want to say thank you to the minister, but I want to ask one question.
"The participation of bumiputera contractors in the project is non-existent. There isn't any. Please look into it.
"Minister, don't be too self-satisfied (syiok sendiri). What about the participation of bumiputera contractors and participation of local contractors in ERCL?" Tajuddin asked, despite Rashid’s attempts to stop him.
Leow managed to ask her question after Tajuddin’s remarks, but as Wee was in the midst of answering her, Tajuddin interrupted again.
In response, Wee simply told the Pasir Salak MP, “We’ll talk later”, before completing his answer to Leow.
In May, Tajudddin was removed as the Prasarana Malaysia Bhd chairperson after an off-colour press conference about an LRT collision that left hundreds injured and six in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Section C may be delayed by a year
This exchange enlivened an otherwise straightforward question in which Leow had asked Wee to update Parliament on the current status of the ERCL project.
"Until Aug 31, 2021, the progress of the entire construction project stands at 23.96 percent against the scheduled progress of 25 percent.
"This is slightly later than scheduled as a result of the implementation of the movement control order," said Wee.
He said that currently, the Transport Ministry is expecting the completion of Sections A and B on schedule, that is, on Dec 31, 2026.
However, the completion of the disputed Section C is expected to experience a delay of 12 months, on Dec 31, 2027.
Elaborating, he said for Section A which is from Kota Bharu to Dungun, the construction of six stations namely Kota Bharu, Pasir Putih, Jerteh, Bandar Permaisuri, Kuala Terengganu and Dungun was approved on May 14, 2030, and as of Aug 31, 2021, progress has reached 11.59 percent compared to the plan of 12.01 percent.
"Physical works are also being actively carried out in Section B from Dungun to Temerloh. Since resumption in July 2019, the progress of physical work in this section has reached 28.04 percent compared to the scheduled 26.9 percent, covering earthworks and construction of tunnels in Dungun, Paka and Kuantan.
"Preliminary work for the construction of tunnels in Gambang, Sri Jaya, Gedung Siam and Paya Pasir is also underway," added Wee.
He said for Section C, which is from Temerloh to Port Klang, the government had reviewed the best alignment to ensure the ECRL has a maximum economic impact.
Wee announced earlier this year that Section C had reverted to the original alignment as proposed in 2016-2017 under the BN government but was changed during Pakatan Harapan's time in power.
"The proposed alignment back to the original northern alignment, namely Temerloh-Gombak-Serendah and extended to Port Klang, was considered by the cabinet on Aug 21, 2020, and the National Physical Planning Council on Aug 13, 2020, as well approved in principle by the cabinet on Aug 21, 2020, and Sept 3, 2020."
Wee said the Transport Ministry had held 37 consultation meetings with 17 agencies in Selangor, proposed technical solutions to address social and environmental issues such as the Permatang Quartz and Batu Dam.
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