Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) expects the Pre-Qualification (Pre-Q) exercise for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project to draw a huge interest from engineering, infrastructure, and construction companies nationwide.
MRL said a Pre-Q notice advertisement by ECRL’s engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning (EPCC) contractor China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC) will be published in leading local dailies on May 13 and 14.
The Pre-Q exercise is meant to tap eligible Malaysian contractors to participate in 40 percent of the project’s civil works. It is open to all experienced local contractors that possess Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Grade G3 to G7 with a minimum score rating of two stars.
It said that Pre-Q documents must be submitted at CCCC counters at the Sime Darby Convention Centre on May 29 and 30.
“We urge qualified local contractors nationwide to actively participate in the Pre-Q exercise - a precursor for them to get on the ECRL bandwagon.
“There are ample opportunities for Malaysian contractors to fulfil the local participation (portion) for civil works of the ECRL project that has been increased to 40 percent from 30 percent previously,” MRL said in a statement today.
A ‘Pre-Q Evaluation Committee’ consisting of senior MRL and CCCC officials would evaluate all the submissions made by Malaysian contractors during the Pre-Q exercise to shortlist eligible local contractors to proceed to the subsequent stages as potential tenderers of the ECRL civil works packages.
MRL said the ‘Pre-Q Evaluation Committee’ will be tasked with ensuring good governance and ethical practices are upheld in the pre-qualification and evaluation of the local contractors, noting that only those shortlisted will be notified to proceed to subsequent stages as potential tenderers.
A host of civil work packages, including earthworks, formation works, soil improvement works, foundation works, structural works, road works, and building works is intended to be subcontracted by CCCC to qualified contractors in areas where the ECRL traverse.
“An increase in participation of local contractors in the large-scale RM44 billion ECRL project also bodes well for the local construction and building material sectors, as well as serves as potential multiplier effect on the Malaysian economy."
MRL and CCCC are optimistic that with combination of knowledge and expertise of experienced Malaysian subcontractors coming into fruition, the ECRL project would be fully completed as per its targeted date of Dec 31, 2026.
MRL, a special purpose vehicle wholly-owned by the Minister of Finance Incorporated, is the project and asset owner of the ECRL.
The 640-km rail project connects the east coast states of Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang with Negeri Sembilan, Selangor and Putrajaya.
- Bernama
