These states, he said, would become trade hubs. Small and medium enterprises and tourism will get a boost and new investments will flow in.

Bernama quoted Najib as saying the gross domestic product of the three states would rise by 1.5%.

Najib said the ECRL was important to close the development gap between the east and west coasts of the peninsula.

“ECRL is a game changer that can spur higher growth rates for the east coast states,” he said when opening the “Public Inspection of ECRL” session here yesterday.

The plan for the 600.3km ECRL, which will have 23 stations, is open for public inspection for three months at the Land Public Transport Commission head office.

The public can also inspect the plan at 38 other locations, such as the district offices in Kota Bharu, Tumpat, Kuala Terengganu, Besut, Kuantan and Temerloh.

“Besides being environmentally friendly, the ECRL will facilitate movements of the people during the festive season with the potential duration of the trip from Kuala Lumpur (Gombak) to Wakaf Bharu, Kelantan, being about four hours,” Bernama quoted Najib as saying.

Najib said there was nothing wrong in working with other countries on such major projects, apparently alluding to criticism by some people that the Najib administration was “giving away” too much to China.

Chinese companies will finance and build the ECRL which is estimated to cost RM55 billion.

“Teaming up with the major economic nations such as China, Saudi Arabia, India, and Japan, will be beneficial to the country and the people. Hence, the ECRLproject should not be politicised,” he added.