China-Malaysia mega railway project kicks off safety campaign aimed at zero accidents

Developers of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), a major infrastructure project between China and Malaysia, kicked off a safety campaign on Friday, aimed at achieving "making zero Lost Time Injury (LTI) accidents a reality" for the project.

ECRL main contractor China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) and Malaysia Rail Link (MRL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia's Ministry of Finance and ECRL project owner, said Friday that concerted efforts are essential to ensure a safe work environment in a joint statement.

They also noted that embracing positive safety culture will be key in meeting the zero LTI objective, ensuring a conducive environment 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

MRL chief executive officer Darwis Abdul Razak said MRL and CCCC have continuously cultivated high safety standards and procedures among their personnel as workplace health and safety remain ECRL project's number one priority.

"We have also embarked on strategies to help identify potential hazards and accidents from happening at our project sites, as we desire a safe and secure atmosphere in the construction of the ECRL alignment from Kota Bharu to Port Klang," he said.

For his part, Bai Yinzhan, managing director of China Communications Construction (ECRL) said safety has always been a top priority.

"This safety campaign reiterates the importance of health and safety awareness and enforcement on all ongoing works on the ECRL project to ensure undeviating progress," he said.

The ECRL runs from Malaysia's largest transport hub Port Klang and travels across the peninsula to Kelantan state in northeastern Malaysia, which is expected to greatly enhance connectivity and bring more balanced growth to the country by linking its less-developed region on the East Coast to the economic heartland on the West Coast upon its completion in 2026.