The estimated cost for the double-tracked East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) is RM55 billion, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak announced in his Budget 2017 speech yesterday.

This is just RM5 billion shy of the figure which whistleblower site Sarawak Report had alleged the project cost would be inflated to.

"The 600-km rail will connect townships such as Port Klang, ITT Gombak, Bentong, Mentakab, Kuantan, Kemaman, Kerteh, Kuala Terengganu, Kota Bharu and ends in Tumpat, with an estimated cost of RM55 billion," Najib said in his speech in Parliament yesterday.