Strong bond: (From left) Brothers Abu Sufian, Abu Samah and Abu Shafalizail at the ECRL site in Kampung Serada. — Bernama
KUALA TERENGGANU: With the construction of the 665km East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) having passed the two-thirds mark recently, many locals are hoping that the government will continue to implement infrastructure projects, particularly in the east coast states.
For brothers Abu Samah Yusof, 53, Abu Sufian Yusof, 51, and Abu Shafalizail Yusof, 42, working on the ECRL project has allowed them to be near their hometown here, much to the delight of their mother, who has longed to have her children and grandchildren close to her.
Abu Samah has worked all over the peninsula before joining the Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge project (a federal road-related project) that provided him with employment for four years.
In a media visit hosted by the main contractor China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC), the three siblings expressed optimism that the project will bring better days ahead for the state, even as it is projected to spur development for the whole country.
Abu Samah, who joined the ECRL in March 2020, said working for the Chinese contractor has been a good experience for him.
“Being based here has allowed me to share parenting duties with my wife, who struggled with caring for our six children when I was working outstation,” he said on Monday.
Now a deputy site manager, Abu Samah said he quit working for a large construction company more than 10 years ago as it did not have any projects in the east coast back then.
His younger brother Abu Sufian also had extensive experience in the construction sector before he ended up working at the Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge and subsequently as a site safety supervisor at the ECRL starting January 2020.
“In construction, we share a lot of common terminology, and as far as work-related communication is concerned, there is no problem.
“Construction sequencing is the same, there is no barrier there. I just need to get everyone on the same page on the specific requirements of Malaysia’s health and safety laws,” he said.
With ECRL passenger services from Kota Baru to Gombak, Selangor, expected to commence in early 2027, the project has generated palpable excitement among locals.
“In Section 3 (from Setiu to Marang) alone, more than 1,000 Malaysians are at work, including subcontractors. As far as management staff is concerned, there are about 300 local management staff while only 80 are from China,” said Abu Samah.
On Terengganu’s first rail project that will zip people quickly to the Klang Valley and Kota Baru in no more than four hours, he said east coast residents need more options other than flights and road transport.
“Trains depart on time and are not subject to congestion. The ECRL will bring positive impact to Terengganu. We are already seeing the spillover effects,” said Abu Samah, who added that ECRL’s completion will spur authorities to improve ancillary infrastructure such as rural roads.
“All these things are related, and when infrastructure is in place, investors will come in.
“Construction-wise, there is not much work in Terengganu. So, I am thankful that in the final chapter of my career, I am able to be based in my hometown,” he said.
Abu Shafalizail, who has worked offshore as well as on the Damansara-Shah Alam Elevated Expressway (DASH) in Selangor before joining the ECRL in May 2021, is more open to venturing out of Terengganu when the ECRL is completed.
“When I was in Selangor, I used to return to my hometown every three weeks, then take an eight-hour bus ride home to see my family,” said the surveyor.
“But the equation will change when the ECRL is running as I can easily travel between Terengganu and Klang Valley and beyond,” he said.
