Zakirin
Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd, known as MRL, has confirmed that the construction of the East Coast Rail Link project will continue as scheduled, despite a multi-million ringgit lawsuit filed by a resident in Gombak.
The developer issued an official statement following reports that a resident had taken legal action over claims that the mega-project’s construction activities were posing a severe risk to his safety and residential property.
The Lawsuit and Resident’s Claims
The controversy centers around Hishamuddin Jumat, a 54-year-old resident of Taman Mutiara Gombak 2, who recently filed a 1.3 million ringgit writ of summons at the Kuala Lumpur High Court. The lawsuit names three key parties as defendants: Malaysia Rail Link, China Communications Construction ECRL Sdn Bhd, and the Selayang Municipal Council.
Hishamuddin claims that the rail construction work, which commenced near his home in early 2024, has caused significant structural damage to his property. He alleged that strong vibrations from the site led to cracks in his walls, floors, and ceilings.
More alarmingly, he claims the construction has caused a dangerous accumulation of water on the slope directly behind his house, significantly raising the risk of soil movement and landslips. According to Hishamuddin, a slope failure would not only devastate his home but could also undermine the future rail track structure, thereby endangering passengers once the line becomes operational.
After his initial complaints purportedly went ignored, the resident stated he funded independent geological and geotechnical studies, which he claims confirmed the high water saturation and the potential risk of slope collapse.
Official Response: Safety Remains a Priority
In response to the public outcry and media reports, MRL issued a statement emphasizing that it takes all public complaints and concerns seriously. The company reiterated that safety remains its absolute top priority in the implementation of the national rail project.
Pembroke, because the dispute has escalated into a legal matter, the developer declined to address the specific allegations directly.
The company stated it will not comment on the case as it has already been brought to the courts, and it respects the court process. MRL added that it will continue to give full cooperation to the court and all related authorities.
Addressing concerns about project delays, MRL confirmed that work on the ground will not be halted. The construction of the rail link continues in line with approvals, technical specifications, and the need for regulatory and safety standards set by the authorities, the company noted.
Pushing Towards the Launch
Despite the legal hurdle, the 665-kilometer electrified rail network—which connects Kota Bharu in Kelantan to Port Klang in Selangor—is currently progressing rapidly.
With the project’s overall completion rate now standing at over 90 percent, MRL reaffirmed its commitment to delivering the infrastructure on schedule. The project is slated to officially launch passenger services in January 2027, cutting cross-country travel time from over seven hours by car to approximately four hours.
