The East Coast Rail Link is 89% complete and on schedule to begin operations in early 2027, with Terengganu leading construction progress among the states involved.
KUALA LUMPUR: The East Coast Rail Link project has achieved 89% overall completion as of October 2025.
Malaysia Rail Link chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak said the project is closing in on its year-end target of 90% completion.
He attributed this progress to the integrated efforts and strong commitment of the MRL team and implementation partners.
Testing and commissioning is expected to begin in mid-2026 ahead of the project’s operational launch.
The rail line is anticipated to commence operations from Kota Bharu to the Gombak Integrated Terminal by January 2027.
Phase Two between Gombak and Port Klang is scheduled to begin operations in January 2028.
Darwis made these remarks during a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony between MRL and the Terengganu state government.
The MoU focuses on facilitating transit-oriented development at ECRL stations in Terengganu.
He highlighted that Terengganu has recorded the highest construction progress among the four states involved at 94.82%.
“This is an achievement that clearly reflects the high efficiency and strong commitment in carrying out the works in this state,” Darwis said.
The ECRL alignment in Terengganu covers 242 kilometres and includes six stations.
The 665-kilometre rail project spans three East Coast states and Selangor.
Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said the MoU represents a strategic move for planned development around ECRL stations.
He emphasised the state government’s commitment to optimising ECRL benefits as an economic growth catalyst.
The partnership aims to attract private investment and commercial activities around station areas.
Cooperation areas include coordinating integrated development plans and optimising land-use planning.
Ahmad Samsuri stated that transit-oriented development governance structures will ensure organised development.
“This is also the best time for us to attract investors,” he added.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
