A massive tunnel boring machine designed to cut through Malaysia's peninsular mountain range was installed Thursday, laying the path for a China-backed railway project to be completed by end of 2026.   Officials launched the giant 1,600-tonne mechanical digging structure by a hill in Bentong, central Pahang state, as they stood in front of two tunnels at an East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) construction site. "The immediate task, the most critical work is the Genting Tunnel," says Malaysia transport minister. "This is the most critical part where we need to complete this tunnel within three years." IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES