Pause on Malaysia's East Coast Rail Link plan deflates local dreams

East coast states lament loss of economic opportunities after project is put on hold

Above: A billboard still advertises the rail project in Kota Sultan Ahmad Shah, in Kuantan, even though it has been suspended indefinitely. Left: A China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) site in Bentong, Pahang. Below: A CCCC site in Temerl
A China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) site in Bentong, Pahang. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Above: A billboard still advertises the rail project in Kota Sultan Ahmad Shah, in Kuantan, even though it has been suspended indefinitely. Left: A China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) site in Bentong, Pahang. Below: A CCCC site in Temerl
A billboard still advertises the rail project in Kota Sultan Ahmad Shah, in Kuantan, even though it has been suspended indefinitely. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Above: A billboard still advertises the rail project in Kota Sultan Ahmad Shah, in Kuantan, even though it has been suspended indefinitely. Left: A China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) site in Bentong, Pahang. Below: A CCCC site in Temerl
A CCCC site in Temerloh, Pahang. The ECRL site offices in Bentong, Temerloh and Kuantan that The Straits Times visited late last month were practically deserted. The government had issued a stop-work order in July, two months after winning the election.ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Trinna Leong and Hazlin Hassan Malaysia Correspondents In Pahang
  • Published
    Sep 17, 2018, 5:00 am SGT
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

Temerloh town sits at the confluence of two big rivers and is known in Malaysia for its delicious curry dish of ikan patin (silver catfish).

The sleepy Pahang town was, until recently, also in line for an economic boost, as one of the 24 proposed stops on the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) that would have connected the country's less-developed east coast states to the richer west coast.

Please or to continue reading the full article.

Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month

  • Latest headlines and exclusive stories
  • In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content
  • Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months*
Subscribe now

*Terms and conditions apply.

STRAITS TIMES GRAPHICS

Join ST's Telegram channel here and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on September 17, 2018, with the headline 'Pause on rail plan deflates local dreams'. Subscribe
Topics: