210 trainees to begin ECRL training in China from mid-May

by HIDAYATH HISHAM

A TOTAL of 210 Malaysians will be sent to China for technical training this year as part of efforts to prepare a local workforce for the operations and maintenance phase of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL).

Transport Minister Anthony Loke (picture) said the group will be trained under the ECRL Industrial Skills Training Programme (PLKI-ECRL) programme and will receive exposure to railway systems, rolling stock and electrification infrastructure.

“This year, a total of 210 trainees from Malaysia, who come from various backgrounds, will be sent to Liuzhou, China, to undergo intensive training for a year,” he said at the launch ceremony for job opportunities and the handover of offer letters for PLKI-ECRL today.

The first batch of 102 trainees is scheduled to depart for China in stages beginning May 15, with the remaining participants to follow in the next intake.

Upon returning, Loke said all participants will undergo further on-the-job training at the ECRL depot in Dungun, Terengganu, and will be offered full-time employment if they complete the programme successfully.

The PLKI-ECRL initiative aims to train 3,200 Malaysians to take on technical and operational roles once commercial service begins. Loke said about 1,800 new jobs will be created under the operations and maintenance (O&M) phase, with a majority allocated to locals.

“The O&M phase of ECRL, expected to begin in January 2027, will create around 1,800 job opportunities. At least 80% of that number must be filled by local citizens,” he said.

As of April 2025, the ECRL project has reached 82.45% completion, with construction progressing across Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Selangor.

Loke added that passenger services are scheduled to begin in January 2027, using 11 six-car electric multiple unit (EMU) trains supplied by CRRC Dalian Co Ltd.

“The EMU trains will operate at a maximum speed of 160kph when commercial service begins in January 2027, covering the Kota Bharu, Kelantan, to Gombak, Selangor, route with a journey time of four hours,” he said.