Kuala Lampur, April 21 -- The government will ensure that the renegotiated East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) will be developed with 40 per cent local participation, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

He told reporters today that the government's emphasis when renegotiating the multi-billion ringgit project was that there must be opportunities for Malaysian companies.

"That is why in ECRL we want to increase local participation with a local content of 40 per cent given to Malaysian companies. We always emphasise that whatever collaboration must bring returns to our country," he said after an event in Ampangan, Negri Sembilan.

He said the government therefore hoped that local contractors would seize the opportunities that the ECRL would cre...