KUALA LUMPUR (April 16): The new price tag for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) at RM44 billion is proof that the project is not a means to bail out 1Malaysia Development Bhd as previously alleged, Datuk Seri Najib Razak claims today.

The ex-premier pointed to the reduction in the number of stations, and the abolishment of the 18km tunnel across Titiwangsa Range, which would cost RM10 billion by itself, that contributed to the lower cost, from RM55 billion estimated by the previous administration.

"This shows that the allegation that the ECRL project cost is only RM29 billion and the additional RM26 billion is to be used to bail out 1MDB is absolutely not true," he told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex today.

Najib mooted the rail project several years ago, before it was suspended and downsized for cost-cutting purposes by the current government.

Meanwhile, Najib also hit out at the decision by the new government to allow Chinese state-owned China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC) to operate and maintain the ECRL project through a 50:50 joint venture with Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL).

"For a Chinese company to be involved in the ECRL project is not the right decision as it is an internal transportation," said Najib.

"This involves security because details of the country will be known to outside party," he said.

He added that Malaysians have the capability to manage the whole rail system, pointing to Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, which was given the contract by Saudi Arabia to manage the Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Mecca Metro Southern Line (MMMSL) from Mina to Muzdalifah since September 2015.

"The best way is for them (CCCC) to become main contractor and they may also be a technical advisor — but for them to manage 50% of our rail like ECRL or any other public infrastructure, to me is not proper," said Najib.