First batch of Malaysian ECRL trainees graduate in China ahead of 2027 rail launch

“LIUZHOU (China), May 20 — A total of 66 Malaysian trainees graduated from Liuzhou Railway Vocational Technical College (LRVTC) on Tuesday, as part of the Batch 1 East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) Industrial Skills Training Programme (PLKI-ECRL) for Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Training. The PLKI-ECRL programme is owned by Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) and China Communications Construction ECRL Sdn Bhd. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the graduates will be absorbed into the ECRL workforce, marking an important transition from trainees to professionals in Malaysia’s railway industry. He said the programme is part of a greater national effort, in which there are currently 259 Malaysian students undergoing training in Liuzhou, all dedicated to preparing for the O&M phase of the ECRL project. “This reflects the government’s strong commitment to developing local expertise, ensuring that Malaysians are not just participants, but leaders in managing and operating our national rail infrastructure,” he said at the graduation ceremony of Batch 1 PLKI-ECRL O&M training programme. Meanwhile, MRL chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak said the graduates will carry the responsibility of operating the ECRL safely, efficiently, reliably, and sustainably for the benefit of the rakyat and future generations. “You (the graduates) are the pioneer workforce of the ECRL operation. You should be proud of the role you will play in shaping the future of Malaysia’s railway industry. “The knowledge, technical skills, discipline, and valuable experience that you have gained here in China must be brought back to Malaysia and translated into excellence in your daily work,” he said. On the ECRL, Darwis said the project is progressing steadily, having achieved significant milestones across engineering, construction and system development, with overall progress reaching 93.66 per cent to date. “The project is targeted to commence testing and commissioning activities in July 2026, marking another major milestone towards operational readiness,” he said. The ECRL project is slated to commence commercial operations in January 2027. The PLKI-ECRL O&M programme is implemented through collaboration with various Malaysian education and training institutions to source suitable trainees, particularly diploma final year students and fresh graduates. The training is conducted through a combination of theoretical and technical classroom learning, hands-on practical sessions, workshop exposure, and railway operational training. LRVTC is a specialised vocational institution in Liuzhou, Guangxi, that focuses mainly on railway and transport-related education. Liuzhou is about 255km from Nanning, the capital of Guangxi. — Bernama

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