PORT KLANG, Feb 18 — The Selangor government will ensure that the welfare of the 89 families expected to be affected by the East Coast Rail Link Project (ECRL) project will be taken care of.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said besides those families, who reside in Kampung Delek and Kampung Sungai Sireh, here, the state government has identified 86 burial plots also affected by the same route.

"Construction at the location could kick-off in 2025 or 2026, so we have time for negotiations with certain parties. Assuming the route is not realigned, we will provide suitable homes to ensure their lives are not disrupted. The state government has been trying its best to avoid this route, but it seems inevitable.

"But it's alright, I will keep to my promise. We will find the best solution, and while we still have time, we will identify housing areas to be developed, land and homes we can replace, or homes for purchase at a certain cost,” he said.

He said this during the Jelajah Kita Selangor Penyayang (JKSP) programme at the Seri Perantau flats here today.

The ECRL route in Selangor involves a 90.72-kilometre stretch that passes through the districts of Gombak, Hulu Selangor, Kuala Selangor and Klang.

Meanwhile, responding to the statement by Auditor-General Datuk Seri Nik Azman Nik Abdul Majid that Selangor and Sabah have yet to return National Trust Fund (KWAN) funds for the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines, Amirudin insisted that the state did not make any loan with KWAN for that purpose.

Instead, he said Selangor has used its own funds for the purchase.

"I think there has been some mistake (with the statement). We withdrew RM100 million (from state funds) and I don't think the purchase of the vaccines was made through KWAN (funds).

"... what we received was money (allocations) from from MOSTI (Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation) to manage the vaccine site in terms of preparing halls, food and repair of facilities for the PICK (National Covid-19 Immunisation Program). It is not a loan but a grant from MOSTI.

"There is RM41 million left (MOSTI grant), we will return it to the Finance Ministry (MoF) because it is an allocation given by the ministry and we can return it,” he said. — Bernama