Land not given to China for free in ECRL deal with Malaysia: Lim Guan Eng

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia’s Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng on Tuesday dismissed allegations that land was offered to China for free as part of a deal to reduce the cost of the East Coast Rail Link .

Controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin alleged last Friday that about 4,500 acres of land along the route was given to China Communications Construction Company Ltd , while Malaysia got a reduction of costs amounting to RM21.5 billion under the renegotiated deal."I have not been informed about 4,500 acres being given for free. I don't think it’s correct,” Mr Lim told reporters on Tuesday.

The revival of ECRL was hailed by PH as its achievement in reducing the country’s financial burden. Shortly after coming into power last May, the coalition had said it was dealing with aAccording to the supplementary agreement signed between Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd and CCCC in Beijing on Apr 12, the cost of ECRL was reduced from RM65.5 billion and the route was shortened from 688km to 640km.

On his website Malaysia Today, Petra alleged that the saving of RM21.5 billion in the ECRL project is not a discount because China is “getting 10 times more that amount in land and development rights”."As far as I know, it is not given for free. If you look at TOD , then it’s not for free. TOD is a standard tool for all infrastructure projects," he said.

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