The truth behind the ECRL cancellation.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/china-cccc-ecrl-malaysia-rail-project-negotiate-cost-20-billion-11189898

The china construction cost for the ECRL was already the lowest under the OBR initiative because of China's expertise and technology.  There is no way another country can build the ECRL at a much lower cost than China.  Therefore, the Malaysian government is disseminating fake news about China offering close to 50% discount for the ECRL construction.  If China really did offer close to 50% discount, there would be no reason for Malaysia not to accept it.

The real reason the Malaysian government cancelled the ECRL project was that China bypassed the Malaysia government and paid directly to its construction firms offshore.  The fund never reached the Malaysian shore because China knew that the fund would go missing and its construction firms would not be able to receive the full construction costs.

The Chinese know how corrupted the Malaysian government officials are and refuse to transfer the fund to Malaysia but choose to pay directly offshore.  This offshore payment arrangement annoys Mahathir because he and his lackeys cannot touch the fund at all.