He said Tony Pua (DAP-Petaling Jaya Utara) was quoting an old alignment and estimates, which were also based on the 2009 exchange rate of USD1 to RM3.20.
“Now it is USD1 to RM4.20,” he said when wrapping up his ministry’s 2017 Budget debate at the Dewan Rakyat.
He explained that the initial tunnel proposed was 30km but it was now 50km long.
The cost also depended on the terrain, he added.
The new 600km alignment, Liow said, involves Tumpat (Kelantan), Kuantan Port, Gombak, Kuala Lumpur and Port Klang.
“It will be used to ferry passengers and cargo from Kuantan Port to Port Klang,” Liow added.
The old alignment, proposed by the previous consultant, HSS Group of Companies, was 545km in length. It ran from Kuala Lumpur to Tumpat, passing through Mentakab, Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu and Kota Bharu.
Liow explained that the ECRL project would cost RM55 billion.
“However, that is only an estimate. We are still finalising it.
“We just announced the project. We will announce when everything is finalised,” he said when wrapping up his ministry’s 2017 Budget.
Earlier today, during a press conference, Pua had said the cost of the project had gone up from RM30 billion to RM55 billion.
Pua also said the HSS Group of Companies had previously said the project would cost RM29 billion, or RM53.2 million per kilometre, based on a six-year study done from 2009 to 2015.
Liow said a lot of politicians, especially from the opposition, were not aware of the details or cost, but were raising the issue to gain “political mileage”.
Sim Tze Tzin (PKR-Bayan Baru) then asked about the feasibility study for the proposed ECRL.
“If you don’t want the issue to be prolonged, then release the feasibility study,” demanded Sim.
Liow said the opposition had taken the issue out of context when he was asked why the transport ministry was not involved in the project.
“I am responsible for the tracks. Even though it is under a different ministry, we work under one government.
“We are also transparent about negotiations.”
The project comes under the Prime Minister’s Department and Finance Ministry.
HSS is currently involved in various rail projects, including LRT, KLIA Express Rail and MRT projects.