Latest news with #Darwis
The Sun
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
First ECRL electric trains and locomotives to arrive by end-2025
DUNGUN: The first two Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trains and two electric locomotives (E-Loco) for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project are set to arrive by the end of this year. Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) confirmed the delivery, which will support commissioning tests ahead of passenger and freight operations starting in June 2026. MRL chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak stated that an additional nine EMU sets and 18 locomotives will be delivered between April and May 2025. 'In total, there will be 11 EMU trains for passenger services and 20 locomotives for freight operations,' he said during the launch of the 2025 POLYCC TVET Mega Fiesta at Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Polytechnic (PSMZA). Darwis also announced that MRL will send 109 students from higher learning institutions to China for the ECRL Industrial Skills Training Programme (PLKI-ECRL) between August and October this year. Trainees are guaranteed jobs with the ECRL project, offering a starting salary of RM3,000. 'In May, we sent 101 students from polytechnics and MARA institutions for the same programme. PSMZA alone had around 60 students selected,' he added. The collaboration between TVET institutions and industry partners is vital in developing a skilled workforce ready for global challenges. – Bernama
The Sun
15-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
First ECRL electric trains and locomotives to arrive by end-2024
DUNGUN: The first two Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trains and two electric locomotives (E-Loco) for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project are set to arrive by the end of this year. Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) confirmed the delivery, which will support commissioning tests ahead of passenger and freight operations starting in June 2026. MRL chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak stated that an additional nine EMU sets and 18 locomotives will be delivered between April and May 2025. 'In total, there will be 11 EMU trains for passenger services and 20 locomotives for freight operations,' he said during the launch of the 2025 POLYCC TVET Mega Fiesta at Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Polytechnic (PSMZA). Darwis also announced that MRL will send 109 students from higher learning institutions to China for the ECRL Industrial Skills Training Programme (PLKI-ECRL) between August and October this year. Trainees are guaranteed jobs with the ECRL project, offering a starting salary of RM3,000. 'In May, we sent 101 students from polytechnics and MARA institutions for the same programme. PSMZA alone had around 60 students selected,' he added. The collaboration between TVET institutions and industry partners is vital in developing a skilled workforce ready for global challenges. – Bernama
The Star
15-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
First ECRL electric trains, locomotives to arrive by end 2025
DUNGUN: The first two sets of Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trains and two electric locomotives for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project are expected to arrive by the end of this year, says Malaysia Rail Link (MRL). MRL chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak said the arrival is intended to support commissioning tests for both passenger and freight train operations, scheduled to begin in June 2026. He said that in the next phase, an additional nine EMU sets and 18 locomotives will be delivered in stages between April and May next year. "In total, there will be 11 EMU trains for passenger services and 20 locomotives for freight operations," he said when met at the launch of the 2025 POLYCC TVET Mega Fiesta at Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Polytechnic (PSMZA) here on Tuesday (July 15). Darwis also announced that MRL would send a total of 109 students from higher learning institutions to undergo the ECRL Industrial Skills Training Programme (PLKI-ECRL) in Liuzhou, China, in stages from August to October 2025. He said all trainees are guaranteed job placements with the ECRL project upon completing their training, with a starting salary of RM3,000. "In May, we sent 101 students from institutions such as polytechnics and Mara to participate in the PLKI-ECRL programme. "The synergy between Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and industry partners is crucial in shaping a highly skilled, resilient workforce prepared for global challenges," he said. – Bernama
Asia News Network
02-07-2025
- Business
- Asia News Network
Malaysia's railway setback linked to site theft
June 23, 2025 PETALING JAYA – The target to complete the much-touted East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project by December next year is facing an unexpected obstacle – theft of signalling equipment and communication cables. The contractors have a fight on their hands with over 1,200m of signalling cables reported stolen along its alignment, with 81 outdoor transformer units also removed. According to Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) Sdn Bhd, the thieves used non-professional cutting tools to get the job done hastily, and even came with transportation. While cable theft or vandalism is a common problem, thefts along the ECRL track are distressing as the cables and transformers are custom-made, with usual delivery time taking up to six months. The 665km ECRL, which connects the Klang Valley to the East Coast, is scheduled to be completed by December next year. It will carry both passengers and freight from the west coast of the country to the east and vice- versa, with speeds of up to 160kph for passenger trains and 80kph for freight trains. The project, which began in 2017, has recorded an overall progress of 82.45%. MRL is the special purpose entity to execute the ECRL project. MRL CEO Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak said there were at least two known instances of such thefts along the ECRL alignment. 'The thefts may delay the project delivery. 'We were very much looking forward to the testing and commissioning phase in June next year,' he added. Since the start of the Communications, Information and Signaling (CIS) systems installation at the ECRL KotaSAS Station in Pahang this March, thieves have struck at no less than seven locations – Paya Besar, Cherating and Kuantan Port City (all in Pahang); Chukai, Dungun and Kemasik (Terengganu) and Pasir Puteh in Kelantan. At the areas near the KotaSAS Station, the contractor involved, China Communications Construction ECRL Project (CCCC-ECRL) found that some fibre optic cables were left behind after being cut. Fibre optic cables are said to be worthless in the scrap market as it does not contain metal. However, the 1,200m of signalling cable which were stolen did contain some metal. Darwis said MRL will meet with the respective state police chiefs to discuss comprehensive asset protection measures and also raise the issue with the relevant ministers. Observers note that protecting trackside assets was difficult as cables were often placed in concrete troughs, with thieves just needing to remove the cover to gain quick access to the cable bundle. Darwis said CCCC-ECRL will bear the losses from the thefts as the project has not been handed over to the government yet. 'That said, we as the project owner will also do our part to curb this problem. The ECRL project team is working closely with police to engage those in the scrap collection or recycling business,' he said. 'We have engaged security personnel to patrol the areas and will install CCTVs at critical areas, although it is not easy to keep watch over such a long alignment,' he said. It is learnt that the on-ground portions of the entire alignment will be eventually fenced up to prevent intrusions. 'In the meantime, we appeal to the public to help us by quickly alerting authorities if they spot suspicious activities along the alignment,' Darwis said. Yuslizar Daud, former head of the Land Public Transport Commission's (now defunct SPAD) Rail Division, said these types of theft were tough to overcome. 'It happens all over the world. In the United Kingdom, Network Rail lost almost £20mil (RM114.4mill) a year due to cable theft. 'Here, thieves are very smart and well-organised, with intricate networks. They are always 100 steps ahead of the operators,' he said. Yuslizar said the only way to effectively resolve the problem was for all rail operators to come together and share intelligence, resources and data. CCCC-ECRL managing director Deng Bo said theft or vandalism of rail infrastructure was a serious crime in China as it threatened the safety of rail operations, and hence, public safety. Officials said if equipment theft continues unabated, Malaysia will suffer losses as it will have to bear half the operational losses, if any, when the trains start running by early 2027.
New Straits Times
23-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Cable theft incidents threaten to derail ECRL completion schedule
BEIJING: Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) has raised concerns over a series of cable theft incidents that could disrupt the planning and operational timeline of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, which is now at a critical phase ahead of its targeted completion in December 2026. MRL chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak said several theft cases have been detected at specific locations along the ECRL track, which spans Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Selangor. "These incidents not only raise the cost of repairs and replacements but also risk delaying the train testing and commissioning schedule, which is expected to begin in June 2026," he said during an interview with the Malaysian media delegation in Beijing. Darwis noted that if China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) fails to complete the project on time — operations are slated to begin in 2027 — the conglomerate could incur losses of RM1.25 million per day. MRL, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Minister of Finance (Incorporated), is the owner of the mega infrastructure project, while CCCC is the main contractor. As the project owner, MRL has lodged police reports on the incidents and is stepping up security measures, including appointing a dedicated security firm to monitor and safeguard ECRL assets on the ground, he said. "However, we are also counting on continued cooperation from the authorities and local communities to help curb this crime. This is a national project that we must protect together," said Darwis. He said he also plans to meet with Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and the police chiefs of the affected states to seek cooperation and solutions to the issue. The project's completion progress has reached 83.38 per cent as of May this year, on track to meet its completion target of December 2026. Darwis emphasised that 2025 marks the most critical phase of the project, with the installation of communication, information, and signalling systems now underway at the Kota SAS (Sultan Ahmad Shah) Station and soon to proceed simultaneously at other stations. However, since the installation of the systems began in March, the ECRL has been plagued by cable thefts. Aside from Kota SAS, thefts involving cables and several transformer units have been reported in areas such as Paya Besar/Gambang, Cherating, and Kuantan Port City in Pahang; Chukai, Dungun, and Kemasik in Terengganu; and Pasir Puteh in Kelantan. In other developments, Darwis said the first two Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) train sets, along with two electric locomotives for freight operations manufactured by CRRC Dalian Locomotive & Rolling Stock Co. Ltd, are expected to arrive in Malaysia by the end of this year, with subsequent sets arriving in stages from April 2026. "System and train testing and commissioning are scheduled to begin in June 2026. This is a crucial phase that will determine our readiness to begin operations," he said. He also disclosed that 38 tunnels have been successfully bored along the project's alignment, with the final two — Serendah Tunnel 2 and the Genting Twin Tunnel — expected to be completed by the end of this month and early next month, respectively. Darwis also confirmed that all land acquisition work for the main ECRL track from Kota Baru to Port Klang has been fully completed, thanks to cooperation from the respective state governments. "Only a few additional lots are needed to accommodate the electrification system, such as for Tenaga Nasional Bhd, but we've secured 100 per cent of the land acquisition for the main track," he added. He said ECRL's cargo services have received encouraging interest from logistics industry players, with early commitments totalling between 800,000 and one million tonnes for the first year of operations, which is scheduled to begin in early 2027. The 665km ECRL is the largest infrastructure project under China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Malaysia and is expected to enhance transport connectivity and catalyse economic growth along Peninsular Malaysia's east coast.
