The first phase of the Malaysian East Coast Railway project was completed and delivered, fully meeting the conditions for commercial operation

China News Service, Kuala Lumpur, November 7 (Reporter Liu Yuying) The Kota Bharu to Gombak section of the first phase of the Malaysia East Coast Railway (Malaysian East Coast Railway) project constructed by a Chinese enterprise held a completion and delivery ceremony on the 6th, and was officially handed over to the project owner, the Malaysian Rail Link Company, laying the foundation for its opening in December this year.

The first phase of the East Malaysia Railway project is 523 kilometers long and includes 16 stations, connecting Kota Bharu, Kelantan and Gombak, Selangor. This handover is a key milestone of the project, which means that the entire railway system of the first phase of the project has met the conditions for commercial operation and will be officially opened on December 12, 2026 to welcome the year-end school holiday travel peak.

Darvis, CEO of Malaysia Rail Link Corporation, said at the ceremony that day that with the support of modern and advanced railway systems, the commercial operation of the East Malaysia Railway will become a catalyst for economic growth and sustainable development. It is expected that the East Coast Railway will bring more investment opportunities to the east coast states, promote tourism development, create employment opportunities, and promote the construction of new logistics hubs and industrial parks.

The East-Malaysia East Railway Project, with a total length of 665 kilometers, is a flagship project of the “Belt and Road” cooperation between China and Malaysia. In the first phase of the project, 41 tunnels and 218 viaducts were completed, with a total length of 154 kilometers of viaducts, improving the flood control capabilities of the lines. Among them, the 16.39-kilometer Genting Twin Tunnel has set two records for the longest and largest earth-covered railway tunnel in Malaysia.

Deng Bo, general manager of the East Malaysia Railway Project of China Communications Construction Group Co., Ltd. (CCCC), said that the East Malaysia Railway is a complete and highly integrated modern railway system that can achieve seamless connection and coordinated operation. The project team is fully cooperating with the final stage of operational preparations to ensure the smooth commissioning of the railway system.