Why was the ECRL project initially suspended by the Malaysian government?

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The Malaysian Government Suspended the ECRL Project Due to Renegotiation of "Unfair" Chinese Mega-Projects

The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project was initially suspended by the Malaysian government as part of a broader initiative to renegotiate or cancel what were deemed "unfair" Chinese mega-projects approved by the previous administration. This suspension followed the assumption of power by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad after a significant election victory in May of the previous year.
Renegotiation of Chinese Mega-Projects

Upon taking office, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad committed to reviewing and potentially cancelling large-scale projects initiated under his predecessor, Datuk Seri Najib Razak. This policy was specifically aimed at mega-projects involving China, with the stated intention of ensuring that these agreements were not disadvantageous to Malaysia.
Cost Reduction as a Condition for Resumption

The suspension of the ECRL project was eventually lifted after a crucial agreement was reached to significantly reduce its overall cost. The project's price was cut by nearly one-third, bringing the estimated expenditure down to approximately US$11 billion (RM45 billion) from its initial RM65.5 billion valuation.
Agreement Reached in April

The decision to resume work on the ECRL was finalised in April, marking a turning point for the major infrastructure undertaking. This agreement between Malaysia and China paved the way for the continuation of the 640km rail line, which is being managed by China Communications Construction Co Ltd as the lead contractor.

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Why was the ECRL project initially suspended by the Malaysian government?

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