New rail line to boost eastern Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - Though rail infrastructure has always played an important role in the economic development, it's been absent from the scenic east coast region of the Malaysian peninsula. But that's about to change, thanks to the 688-km East Coast Rail Link (ECRL).

Residents of Malaysian states of Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang on the east coast of the country will soon see the first train running from the nation's northern border with Thailand to Malaysia's busy Port Klang on the Strait of Malacca, connecting the east side of the peninsula to the more developed region centered on the capital of Kuala Lumpur.

Jointly launched by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and Chinese State Councilor Wang Yong earlier this month, the railway will be built by China Communications Construction Company Ltd, a leading transportation infrastructure group that also built a landmark bridge in the country's northwestern state of Penang.