BENTONG: MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai has urged the Government to retain the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, saying it is vital for the development of the east coast.

The former Transport Minister said the Bentong station was especially important and while the cost of tunnelling was high, it would be economically beneficial.

“The suspension of ECRL has caused a lot of hardship to the locals. There is actually a training programme for about 80 students, which has been suspended.

“Hundreds of trainees had undergone this programme earlier, but now these well-trained and skilled personnel cannot be recruited.

Liow was speaking to reporters after opening a new building at the Leung Kwong Yee San Cemetery here yesterday.

The 80 students were from the ECRL Industrial Skills Training Programme, a three-month training programme at Universiti Malaysia Pahang aimed at equipping them with knowledge and experience in the rail industry through classes and on-the-job training.

He said the ECRL suspension also affected suppliers, local manufacturers and consultants, which was not good for the economy.

“I also regret that the Government keeps making confusing statements.

“Earlier, the ECRL cost was RM55bil. Then they said it was RM81bil and now they have revised it to RM40bil. We don’t know which is which as they keep changing their figures and using different statistics and data to confuse the public,” he said.

On another matter, Liow, a former Bentong MP for four terms, said the Government must also ensure that the cultural and religious needs of the Chinese community were fulfilled.

He claimed that some RM1mil in government allocation to schools and temples in Bentong, which was approved between January and May, had been rejected.

“The Government must fulfil this promise. Irrespective of previous or current administrations, there must be continuity in the promises made to the people,” he said.

-The Star-