China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) called for submission of pre-qualification documents on May 29 and 30 in an effort to identify potential local subcontractors for 40% of the civil works portion of the 640km project, excluding tunnel works.

The shortlisted companies are expected to be notified in writing by CCCC before the end of August, with the contracts for the 223km stretch from Dungun to Mentakab, where the rail alignment has already been finalised, expected to be tendered in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Further tenders will be called once both the re-alignment from Kota Bharu to Dungun and the new southern alignment between Mentakab and Port Klang have been finalised.

Construction on the line, which will connect Kota Bharu and Putrajaya, began in 2017 but was suspended in July 2018 after Malaysia’s newly elected prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad decided to withdraw from Chinese-backed infrastructure projects on economic grounds.

Construction restarted in July following the signing of a supplementary agreement between MRL and CCCC on April 12 after the total cost of the project was reduced from Ringgits 65.5bn ($US 15.6bn) to Ringgits 44bn. The proportion of local involvement also increased from 30% to 40%.

Local suppliers, contractors, and consultants had been awarded contracts for preliminary works before the project was suspended, and MRL says these contracts will be honoured, allowing work to resume.

Malaysian Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) registered companies from grades G3 to G7 that possess a minimum 2-star score rating were encouraged to participate in the latest pre-qualification exercise.

A pre-qualification evaluation committee consisting of representatives from MRL and CCCC shortlisted the 331 companies following a detailed evaluation of each entity’s track record, financial capabilities, technical personnel and plant and equipment.

The CIDB G7 category made up the largest number with 164 companies shortlisted, followed by CIDB G4 with 69 companies. The remainder came from CIDB G3 with 45 companies while G5 and G6 categories made up 33 companies and 20 companies respectively.

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