KUANTAN — Testing and certification for Phase 1 of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), from Kota Bharu to Gombak Intergrated Terminal, will begin in June 2026, according to Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) CEO Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak.

The testing will ensure the system is fully operational before the official launch in January 2027. Darwis also announced that the first 11 six-carriage Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trains for passengers, along with 12 electric locomotives for freight, are expected to arrive by the end of the year, with the remainder delivered in stages.

Track installation for the ECRL project in Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang is on track for completion by year-end. The 400 km stretch from Maran to Kota Bharu was finished on January 15, and installation for the 100 km section from Maran to Bentong will begin in April, completing by July.

On the Genting Tunnel, 14.3 km of the 16.39 km tunnel has been excavated, with full tunnel penetration expected by May. As of last month, the overall progress of the project has reached 78.5%.