The signing was witnessed by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong, who is on a working visit to attend the 7th Malaysia–Singapore Leaders’ Retreat in Wisma Putra.
Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail deal was signed by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan for Malaysia and Singapore Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan.
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| Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) agreement signing ceremony |
The HSR is expected to cut land travel time between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to 90 minutes. The targeted completion date is 2026 with construction beginning in 2018.
Malaysia and Singapore agreed to the rapid rail link between the two capitals following a retreat between Najib and Lee in 2013.
The 350km double track rail line with speeds of over 300km/hour will have eight stations — Bandar Malaysia, Putrajaya, Seremban, Ayer Keroh, Muar, Batu Pahat, Iskandar Puteri and Singapore.
The HSR line will have one terminus in the new township of Bandar Malaysia, at the edge of Kuala Lumpur, with another at the upcoming Jurong Lake District, in the west of Singapore.
The customs, immigration and quarantine facilities for the railway will be co-located at three stops which are Singapore, Iskandar Puteri in Johor and Bandar Malaysia in KL.
Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail project has been dubbed a “game-changer” that will boost connectivity, strengthen economic ties and forge closer ties between people of both countries.
Several countries are currently bidding for the project including Japan, China and South Korea.
Najib, in a press conference later, said that the project was “commercially viable” and would not face any funding problems.
“This HSR project is commercially viable. I think that's the key to it. Once it is commercially viable, then we will be able to get long-term financing for this project.
“We do not envisage problems in getting long term financing. In fact, those who want to participate in this project can make available certain financial arrangements for us to consider as part of their package. So, that will something that can be resolved,” he said.
An international tender to award the contract will be made later on. The project will be managed by MyHSR Corp Sdn Bhd, a company wholly owned by Malaysia’s Finance Ministry.
Najib, who is also the finance minister, said both parties were committed in meeting the 2026 deadline, despite the mammoth size of the project.
“It's about 10 years, but as you know, the size of this project, the complexity of this project, 10 years is a relatively short period of time, which means we have to work very closely together,” Najib stressed.
Lee meanwhile said he was optimistic to have his first HSR train ride to Putrajaya in a decade when the project is completed.
“This is a significant milestone in our relationship. This will transform the way we interact, socialise and do businesses.
“Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail is a complex project and we are making long term commitments, but there is political will on both sides. I'm looking to take my first train ride to Putrajaya in 10 years,” he said with a laugh.
Addressing security concerns, Lee said the Malaysian-Singapore border was among the “busiest international borders in the world” and both parties can't just shut their doors.
“We cannot close our borders because of security. We must make the borders more secure. It is the busiest international border in the world,” he said.
The Singaporean leader also urged for closer ties between border agencies to ensure that security is prioritised while making it comfortable for travel.
“We want to make quite sure that it is safe, secure and convenient for customers. That means there must be trust and understanding and mutual agreement from both sides.
“We need this for both HSR and RTS and we will make it work,” Lee said, referring to the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link project, in which Malaysia’s Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) service will be extended to connect with Singapore's Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system to reduce traffic.
Source: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/malaysia-singapore-sign-high-speed-rail-deal
