KOTA BARU: The Kelantan government does not have any issues with land acquisition if the proposal to extend the East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) to Rantau Panjang is approved by the government, says Mentri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud.

He said the ECRL project would have a positive impact on the country’s economic growth and Kelantan would give its full cooperation to achieve that goal, reported Bernama.

“If the proposal is approved we will give full cooperation for the ECRL project.

“We hope the matter gets the attention of the Federal Government since Kelantan borders Thailand and this project will also benefit them and benefit the country,” he told reporters at the Iftar Mahabbah Programme by the state Information Secretariat here yesterday.

The media previously reported that the Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V, hoped that the ECRL project could be extended to Rantau Panjang.

Sultan Muhammad said the move is aimed at driving economic growth at the border as well as strengthen bilateral relations between Malaysia and Thailand.

On Monday, Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak said ECRL had achieved 62.4% progress for the entire planned line, which includes tracks in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Selangor, as of last month.

The 665km long ECRL project involving an expenditure of RM50.27bil will connect Kota Baru with the Gombak Integrated Terminal in four hours, compared to seven hours by road and over 12 hours during the festive season.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/03/28/ktan-mb-backs-ecrl-extension-to-rantau-panjang