PETALING JAYA (April 4): The people will reject Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s promise to stop the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project if the opposition coalition wins the 14th general elections, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pictured).

“Of course the people in the East Coast states will reject his proposal. I personally want to thank him for that proposal.

“Of course Dr Mahathir made the right decision to reject the support of the people in the East Coast for his party,” he said sarcastically in a report by Bernama.

Zahid, who is also Umno deputy president, said Pakatan Harapan’s proposal to scrap the project would benefit Barisan Nasional.

Meanwhile, Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek likened the proposal to “murdering the hopes” of the east coast folk.

Shabery, who is also the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister, said they were looking forward to the project because it would act as a catalyst to boost the economy.

He added that he was surprised that the former prime minister had become short-sighted, given his penchant for mega projects during his 22-year tenure as premier.