Frederick Ma called on pan-democratic lawmakers to "raise their hands high in mercy".MTR bosses warned of "catastrophic" consequences if lawmakers reject the HK$19 billion funding shortage facing the cross-border high-speed railway.
After 99.83 per cent of shareholders backed the funding boost at a meeting on Monday, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said the government would seek approval from the Legislative Council - the last stage of getting funds for the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link.
MTR chairman Frederick Ma Si-hang called on pan-democratic lawmakers to "raise their hands high in mercy".
Ma said the HK$65 billion budget approved in 2009 would soon be used up, and the company needed to tell its contractors Legco's decision by next month.
"The consequences would be catastrophic in terms of unemployment and reputational damage," Ma warned if lawmakers rejected the extra funding.
"Hong Kong would become a joke in the international construction industry. What's more, we would lose a key rail connection with the mainland's high-speed railway network which would link Hong Kong to other parts of Asia and Europe."
He claimed last week that between 5,000 and 7,000 workers and engineers would lose their jobs if work was suspended.
MTR projects director Philco Wong Nai-keung said if the project was stopped, many building contracts would have to be suspended or cancelled, which could bring many lawsuits seeking compensation.