Scrapping the High-Speed Rail: ‘It’s not beneficial.’

Our Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir has just confirmed to all medias that the High-Speed Rail (HSR) with Singapore will be scrapped. What is also confirmed is that this has not been discussed with Singapore and Malaysia will have to talk to them about it as well as the compensation to be paid. Tun said, “It’s not beneficial, it’s going to cost us a huge sum of money. We will make no money at all from the operation. It is just a short track.” He also said that the compensation to be paid is supposed to be RM500mil. He had earlier informed Financial Times that unnecessary projects will be scrapped. He said, “We need to do away with some of the unnecessary projects, for example the high-speed rail, which is going to cost us RM110bil and will not earn us a single cent. That will be dropped.” Here’s that article in TheStar. 
I am a supporter of HSR. It’s not because I own lands along the line because I have none. It’s also not because I have properties along the line because I have just one property in Greater Kuala Lumpur which is my current home and it is nowhere near the HSR station too. The reason I support is because it links many cities and towns along the line and this meant that everyone can be helping everyone else grows. The reason I support is also because even today, the KL – SG flight route is already the busiest in the world. An earlier article here: Positives. Indirectly showing potential for Kuala Lumpur Another reason I support is also because I think Singapore and Malaysia has a lot of benefits by working together instead of competing against one another. However, I must say that I hold the highest respect and regard for our Team of Eminent Persons and I would love to know what they have planned for Malaysia.
Yes, I guess we will have to see what happens next because everything would still have to depend on the meeting with Singapore and the final compensation to be paid if the decision is final. Actually, it is quite certain that many mega projects would have to be pushed back or scrapped because without GST, there will be a shortfall in revenue and if we would like to maintain the current reduction in deficits, then we can still be on track if we cut the expenditure side. Slightly over a week earlier, Tan Sri Zeti said this is possible if the government prioritises its projects, increasing the efficiency of the public sector, avoiding wastage and exploring new sources of revenue.  Earlier report in TheStar here. Other mega projects include Bandar Malaysia, Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) and the Pan-Borneo Highway. In brief, the HSR is a 350-km railway scheme linking Kuala Lumpur and Singapore and is expected to start operations from 2026. (Perhaps we should say ‘was’ since it may no longer be built). Happy following.
written on 28 May 2018
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