SINGAPORE: Malaysia will decide by this year whether it’s full steam ahead with plans for a high-speed rail ( HSR ) line between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, as it shortlists proposals from a narrowing list of private consortiums to back the project, an official has confirmed.  ,
Transportation Minister Anthony Loke expressed hope that the Cabinet would make a decision on the viability of the multi-billion dollar project by the end of the fourth quarter in an interview on Wednesday ( Jul 17 ).
” Once we have a plan decision to deal with the high-speed road, we will start negotiations with Singapore”, he said, as quoted in local media.  ,
According to Mr. Loke, the government has now shortlisted three of the seven consortiums that submitted proposals in response to a late-year data request.
He did not give the associations ‘ names, but he confirmed that it is the government’s policy to grant the HSR project to a group that is at least 51 % owned by Malaysian businesses.
Regional news outlet The Edge reported in March that China Railway Construction Corporation, Berjaya Land Bhd, and YTL Corp. had been shortlisted for the job.  ,
Berjaya Rail, a subsidiary of Berjaya Land, announced it had joined the Malaysia Rail Industry Corporation ( MARIC ) as a new member on Wednesday. An organization of 50 important railroad companies aims to foster private-public cooperation in the development of railroad network.  ,
The 350km-long HSR task, which can go at a rate of 350km/h, was initially proposed in 2013 and resulted in a legally binding contract being signed in December 2016 with the intention of having the line operating by 2026.
Nevertheless, it was originally canceled after numerous postponements at Malaysia’s ask and a potential termination of a deal in December 2020.
Malaysia paid more than S$ 102 million ( US$ 75.8 million ) in compensation to Singapore for the terminated project.
Following the 2022 primaries and his recent visit to Singapore where he met with leaders of the country, the discussion of a reincarnation grew.
In a statement released on August 3, 2013, acting acting transport secretary Chee Hong Tat, Singapore was ready to discuss any new proposals from Malaysia for the KL-SG HSR venture in great belief,” starting from a fresh slate.”
In December last year, the Sultan of Johor, Ibrahim Iskandar, who became Malaysia’s prince in January, advocated for the restoration of the job, suggesting it be routed via Forest City, a mega-development in which he owns a play.
The HSR wants to cut the average car trip moment between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore from more than four days to 90 days.
As a government-funded project, it is estimated to cost up to RM100 billion ( US$ 21.4 billion ). According to Mr. Loke, the price may get lower depending on the chosen plan.  ,
Nevertheless, he cautioned that while the government is not ruling out support, it is not keen on providing a maintain due to concerns over increasing the country’s debt burden.
He added that the HSR was ultimately join with Malaysia’s$ 10 billion East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), which will connect the East and West coasts of Peninsular Malaysia by the end of 2026, with service scheduled to begin the year after that date.  ,
He likewise mentioned discussing a plan to join Thailand’s rail network, which would ultimately aim to connect more of Southeast Asia to China by road.
” I’m confident we can keep pushing and trying to persuade our rivals from Thailand and Laos to take part in this whole thing,” he said.  ,