KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s rail development has progressed steadily in 2025, reaching major milestones in national megaprojects, renewed cross-border ambitions, and intensified planning for long-term transport connectivity.
The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) emerged as one of the year’s standout performers, reaching 88.08% completion as of Nov 4, following the delivery of the C1B segment, the first full civil works package from Kelantan to the Gombak Integrated Terminal.
Works for the stretch, which began in September 2022, included the Gombak Tunnel, two major bridges and extensive subgrade works, forming a vital conduit between the line’s eastern and western alignments.
The ECRL also drew international interest. Thailand had indicated interest in seeing the line extended from Kota Baru to the Sungai Golok border, which Thai Ambassador Lada Phumas said could support broader Pan-Asia Railway Network aspirations.
Malaysia’s other national rail initiative, the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR), remained under evaluation as of Oct 7.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the ministry and related agencies are finalising key parameters to determine the most viable model for a private sector-led project before progressing to the request for proposal stage.
Loke reiterated that the HSR would proceed only through private investment, without direct government funding.
Urban rail networks also made progress, with the Light Rail Transit 3 (LRT3) on track to begin operations on Dec 31, pending final reliability and safety tests.
