Illustrative photo (Photo: Paul Tan)Singapore and Malaysia have held an important discussion on the high-speed rail (HSR) project connecting Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, according to the Singaporean Ministry of Transport.
The meeting between the two sides took place last week after the Singaporean government repeatedly asked Malaysia for a response, clarifying its position on the 28-billion-USD project.
Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the meeting was held to solve issues related to the rail project, adding that a detailed report will be presented to the Malaysian Cabinet later this week.
Speaking before the Singaporean Parliament on July 9, Minister of Transport Khaw Boon Wan said Singapore had sent a diplomatic note to Malaysia in order to seek immediate clarification of Malaysia’s position on the project.
If Malaysia unilaterally causes the project to be terminated, Singapore will request compensation for costs incurred in accordance with the binding agreement signed between the two countries and international law, he added.
According to Khaw Boon Wan, Singapore has already spent more than 250 million SGD on the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore HSR project, with the expenditure likely to reach 300 million SGD (220 million USD) by the year’s end.
The significant amount spent already will be completely wasted expenditure if the project does not proceed, he said.
The 350km rail project is scheduled to be put into use in 2026, reducing the travel time between the two cities from about 5 hours to only 90 minutes./.