Malaysia Rail Link affirms work on ECRL suspended, despite reports otherwise

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL), the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project owner, has reaffirmed that the project is currently suspended and that no other works to progress the project will take place during the suspension period.
In a statement today, the company said the recent news reports that suggest the construction works of the project is still continuing and progressing despite the suspension order are inaccurate and misleading.
It said during the suspension period, the company together with China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC) will conduct regular checks on the condition of the sites to ensure the integrity of existing works and shall from time to time carry out remedial works to repair any damage if necessary.
CCCC is the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) contractor for the RM81 billion project.
"As per the ECRL EPCC contract provision, a suspension order will entail instructions for CCCC to secure all existing ECRL construction sites to minimize any damage and/or deterioration to the site during the suspension period.
"Securing the site also means ensuring all safety and environmental requirements imposed by relevant authorities were observed and complied with at all times including over the period of works suspension," MRL said.
As of July 8, 2018, MRL said CCCC was still carrying out some site securement works to comply with its instruction.
MRL also added that CCCC or its sub-contractors’ workers will be present on site to carry out these works until the company is satisfied that all ECRL construction sites have been duly secured.
"In addition, security personnel will be present to guard the premises to prevent any security breach. Once the site is properly secured, no other works shall proceed until further notice from MRL,” it added.
MRL said it had on July 3, 2018 received instruction from the MoF to issue a suspension order of all construction works and services stipulated in EPCC contract for the ECRL project.
The suspension order was issued to ECRL project EPCC contractor, namely CCCC and China Communications Construction Company (M) Sdn Bhd (CCCCM) on the same day, it noted.