I think I am one of the very few who continue to follow and continue to get disappointed on the progress for the High Speed Rail KL – SG. (HSR). Delayed many years is not a great thing. However, that need to restart a more serious discussion on how to start, who to start, when to start the construction and many more things has yet to restart. Not sure if this continuous delay is a smart move because the world (ASEAN at least) is not stopping in its connectivity development.
Here are a few of such rail related news recently. In Thailand, we have this: China – Thailand railway project to be signed in October 2020. In Indonesia, we have this: Indonesia’s train plans is not just Jakarta to Surabaya but also Jakarta to Bandung too. In Australia, we have this (even if it’s being objected by many) Australia wishes to link Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane via high speed rail. As for our HSR KL – SG, happy reading that latest update.
Article in thestar.com.my Senior Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said the HSR discussion will be extended to end of 2020. He said, “I have been asked by the Cabinet to lead the Malaysian team in the discussions with the Singapore government on this project. The Government of Malaysia and the Government of Singapore have agreed to resume discussions on the KL-Singapore High-Speed Rail infrastructure project in the near future.”
HSR is a postponed railway project to link Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Singapore via a high-speed rail line. In Sept 2018, with the extension request from Malaysia until May 2020, Malaysia agreed to reimburse Singapore S$15 million (RM45.1 million) for the delay. There will be further costs to be reimbursed to Singapore if Malaysia continues to fail to fulfil what was agreed in the HSR agreement. New agreement says that the HSR service will start from Jan 1 2031 versus Dec 31 2026. Please do refer to the article for more details: Article in thestar.com.my
Tired to keep hoping that there’s progress. Yet, I guess as long as they do not say ‘we cancel HSR,” then it is still a go-ahead. Only the timeline will be an issue lah. Then again, I do agree that perhaps this is not the best time to be discussing about it. Perhaps when the COVID-19 is more under control as well as all the Parliament sessions are done with, then we can have a better visibility of what to expect. Right now,just have to stay safe and keep following. Yeah, that upcoming recovery plans which is on this coming 5th June 2020 as well. That would be something big I think. Happy following.
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