KUALA LUMPUR, March 20 -- Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the suspended East Coast Railway Link (ECRL) would cost the country RM130 billion to implement.

During Question Time today, the Langkawi MP reiterated that the project in its original form would severely drain public coffers.

He also said that while terminating the project would result in billions in compensation, this would be a one-time expense.

"However, if we carry on, we will also be tied down with billions in debt that will take decades to pay off.

"In the end, the debt total and interest will increase to RM130 billion," he told the Dewan Rakyat.

Dr Mahathir was responding to Datuk Seri Ismail Mohamed Said (BN-Kuala Krau) who asked if it was feasible to postp...