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SINGAPORE: Singapore and Malaysia are still in the negotiation process on some proposals put forward by Malaysia to “improve” the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail (HSR) project, Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Minister Mustapa said. Mohamed.
In a statement issued on Friday (November 27), Mr. Mustapa said: “Referring to some recently released reports on the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail project, Malaysia and Singapore are still in the process of negotiating on some proposals. submitted by Malaysia to improve this project. ”
“Both countries have until December 31 to carry out the negotiation processes. The government will make an announcement after the final decision is made and the negotiation processes are completed,” he added.
His statement came after the Free Malaysia Today news portal, citing sources, reported that Putrajaya is considering changing the HSR project so that the line ends in Johor Bahru, rather than Singapore.
This could mean that the project, first announced in 2010, could be resumed without Singapore’s involvement.
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Singapore’s Ministry of Transport (MOT) said in a statement on Thursday that the December 2016 HSR Bilateral Agreement is a legally binding international agreement that remains in effect today.
He noted that construction of the HSR project has been suspended twice at the request of Malaysia.
“During the suspension period, Malaysia proposed some changes to the HSR Project, and we have been discussing them in good faith with Malaysia,” the statement said.
“Singapore continues to believe that the HSR Project is beneficial to both countries and remains fully committed to meeting our obligations under the HSR Bilateral Agreement. We will do our best to conclude discussions with Malaysia by December 31,” the spokesperson said. by MOT.
The spokesperson added that if Malaysia does not proceed with the HSR project by December 31, Malaysia will bear the agreed costs incurred by Singapore to comply with the HSR Bilateral Agreement.
In September 2018, both parties agreed to postpone the construction of the HSR until the end of May this year. Malaysia had to pay Singapore S $ 15 million for the costs incurred to suspend the project.
Malaysia subsequently requested an additional seven-month extension to allow both parties to discuss and evaluate Malaysia’s proposed changes to the project.
Mr. Khaw Boon Wan, who was Singapore’s Minister of Transport at the time, agreed to the “final extension of the suspension period” until 31 December.
Both countries had also announced that HSR service was expected to begin on January 1, 2031, rather than the original start date of December 31, 2026, as a result of that suspension.
The proposed HSR line aims to reduce travel time between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to about 90 minutes by train, from the current 11 hours on existing train services.
When operational, the line will offer an express service between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, a national service from Kuala Lumpur to Iskandar Puteri and a shuttle service from Iskandar Puteri to Jurong East.
