[ad_1]
PETALING JAYA: The cancellation of the KL-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) project means many missed opportunities for Malaysia, say a transport expert and business group.
Any attempt to bring the HSR up to Johor would also be a waste of funds and to no avail. In fact, it could backfire, they say.
Speaking to FMT, veteran consultant Goh Bok Yen and Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) Executive Director Shaun Cheah said that a rail project that does not directly connect Singapore with Malaysia would be “useless.”
Yesterday, the governments of Singapore and Malaysia confirmed that the HSR project was canceled after the bilateral agreement reached between the two countries in 2016 expired.
Malaysia had proposed amendments to the plan after changes in government, both in 2018 and 2020, but was unable to reach an agreement with Singapore.
It was reported that a KL-Johor Bahru rail project could replace the KL-Singapore HSR, but Goh says the impact and feasibility of such a project were questionable.
“The impact of connecting two economic axes in the region is obvious. Singapore gains a hinterland while Malaysia gains an international gateway.
“Without this, all you will have (with a KL-JB rail line) is just another national line that not only duplicates the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) line between the two states, but also competes with road links and existing air transport. “
Goh said it would be wiser to skip a new rail line entirely and use the money, estimated to be in the billions, to upgrade KTMB’s capacity, widen roads and establish better public transportation facilities.
He also shared former Prime Minister Najib Razak’s concerns that if the HSR does not go directly to Singapore, it will affect its sustainability as the group of passengers will not come from a new source such as Singapore, but from existing domestic travelers.
“One of the biggest positives of the KL-Singapore HSR was the only Customs and Immigration clearance in KL or Singapore, depending on where you depart. This saves a lot of time, unlike traveling by plane. “
Cheah said that the foundation of the HSR was a connection with Singapore. Without him, there was no reason for another rail project.
“The KL-Singapore air route is among the busiest in the world and the reason is that Malaysia is an extension for many Singapore-based companies.
“Much of the foreign direct investment comes from Singapore and many regional offices are based there because of the ease of doing business, political stability and clarity of policies.”
However, costs were lower in Malaysia, so many companies, although anchored in Singapore, would operationally expand here.
“With connectivity, it becomes a commute. Without that perfect connectivity, people will face the same delays they face when traveling by air or by land, ”he said, adding that he hoped Putrajaya would revert to the original HSR plan.
Economist Carmelo Ferlito said Malaysia would lose economic opportunities and that an HSR between KL and Singapore should even expand in time to connect the two countries with Thailand.
“The future of transportation in Malaysia is rail. It is not efficient or sustainable to travel by plane and on highways, ”said Ferlito, who directs the Market Education Center.
“What we need is an integrated rail network, not only for passenger traffic, but also for freight.”
