KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 29 ― Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng declined to answer any question surrounding the China-backed East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, saying he had been told not to issue any public remark for the time being.

He said that Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad instructed him earlier this morning to refrain from speaking on the project until an official announcement is made.

“I met with Dr M this morning and he advised me not to issue any statements for the time being,” he told reporters when asked to clarify whether or not the 688km rail project was still suspended or had been terminated.

Lim called for patience until the official announcement is made.

“So please wait for the statement when we are ready to go.”

“So please wait for the statement when we are ready to go," Lim added.

Dr Mahathir said the Finance Ministry would clarify the matter after both Lim and Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali issued conflicting statements on the project last week.

Azmin announced last Thursday that the Cabinet agreed terminate the ECRL — which has been suspended since last August — prompting Lim to express surprise over the disclosure.

Dr Mahathir admitted a mistake was made, but did not elaborate on who or which ministry made the error.

Earlier today, Dr Mahathir said the cost of continuing with the ECRL would leave the country indebted for an entire generation.