PETALING JAYA: The rationale given that the East Coast Railaway Link (ECRL) will speed up the connection between the west and east coasts is merely a ruse by those interested in enriching themselves with "fake projects", says economist Professor Jomo Kwame Sundram.

"I understand the government needs space to solve and minimise the losses (from the cancellation of ECRL).

"There will definitely be losses … the question is how do we minimise that loss?

"Those who are for it say that it is to develop the east coast. Actually no – this project does not.

"There are other problems in the east coast, such as the water problems in Kelantan, lack of sanitation and the issue of flooding, which must be given more attention," said Jomo.

He also said the excuse that ECRL would speed up the connection between the west and east coasts does not hold water.

"There are those who say we are ignoring the east coast. This is a mere ruse by those who want to save such fake projects.

"It is not as if there is no rail line to the east coast. It may be slower but what is it we want to speed up?

"Who is it that is in such a hurry to come from there? If you are in a hurry, why don't you just take a flight?" asked Jomo.

He also said that there was no need for an alternative project if the ECRL is scrapped, saying it was akin to "building a bridge into the middle of the sea".

He also said that the argument that calling off the project would not be taking into account the feelings of the Chinese parties involved was hollow.

"I have seen the documents but no one has seen everything, as some of the documents are not in the hands of the government.

"It is easy for us to say, let's take care of the Chinese – which Chinese party are you referring to? Are all the Chinese parties involved in this? There are many complex issues.

"ECRL will be a debt forever. What Dr Mahathir says is true – its cost will be RM100bil.

"The figures being mentioned have only to do with Phase One – and that does not even reach Port Klang.

"There is also Phase Two and Phase Three. The numbers are confusing, which is why there should be proper explanation so that the public can understand," said Jomo.

He said that those involved in the project should be united in saving the situation by minimising losses and maximising what can be salvaged if the ECRL is scrapped.

He was speaking to the media after a dialogue at the Malaysian Press Institute.

Jomo has been at the forefront in asking for the ECRL be scrapped, saying that it is a burden to a country already deep in debt due to mismanagement by the previous government.

He was part of the Council of Eminent Persons, an advisory council set up by the Pakatan Harapan government in its early days to discuss the state of the nation inherited from the previous Barisan government.