Malaysia embarking on more efficient public transport system
KUALA LUMPUR: With ridesharing services making inroads and the high- speed rail project set to take off, 2016 saw Malaysia embarking on a progressive journey towards a more efficient public transport system to reduce road congestion and satisfy the rakyat’s needs.
Bes ide s br id g i n g the infrastructure gap among the states, Malaysia has also been playing an essential role in the quest to connect all Asean countries.
The signing of an agreement on Dec 13 at the 7th SingaporeMalaysia Leaders’ Retreat to build a 350km- long Kuala Lumpur- Singapore High- Speed Rail ( HSR), an ambitious 10-year project, marked an important milestone in the development of the country’s transportation system.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the HSR project would be a game changer for Malaysia and Singapore, including for economic generation, lifestyle and property value.
The project, which is due to take off in 2017 and complete in 2026, will generate new impetus in terms of economic development along the way not only in the Klang Valley and Singapore, but also the designated towns in between.
For Singapore, the HSR terminus will be located in Jurong East, while Malaysia will have seven stations – in Bandar Malaysia, Putrajaya, Seremban, Ayer Keroh, Muar, Batu Pahat and Iskandar Puteri.
It was reported that the gross domestic product (GDP) resulting from construction, operations, ancillary services, and indirect multiplier benefits such as tourism and property appreciation would be about RM100 billion.
Upon its complet ion, the capitals of the two countries will no longer be seen as distant cities
As long as the overall economic activities are enhanced, there will be equitable benefits (from the project).
but two closely- connected ones, as travel time would be reduced to just 90 minutes as the trains would run at a top speed of more than 300kph, compared with four hours by car.
This is a positive project that also heralds the beginning of a larger vision of a Pan-Asia Railway network to connect China and all countries in mainland Southeast Asia, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Council Member Abi Sofian Abdul Hamid said.
“As long as the overall economic activities are enhanced, there will be equitable benefits (from the project),” he told Bernama.
In fact, with Singapore being Malaysia’s second largest trading partner in 2015 with total trade of US$ 59.5 bi l l ion ( RM190.6 billion), the HSR project could be a catalyst for both nations to enhance stimulus and increase their trade value.
Sunway University Business School’s Professor of Economics Prof Dr.Yeah Kim Leng said the long-term benefit would be attracting investors to set up bases in Kuala Lumpur, thus strengthening the country’s competitiveness, dynamism, as well as attractiveness.
With time savings travelling on HSR trains, Malaysia’s economy will get closely integrated with that of Singapore, hence stimulating more business opportunities and becoming a catalyst for foreign direct investment.
Another mega infrastructure the government is passionate about in its stride to create more growth centres is the East Coast Rail Line ( ECRL), connecting Kuala Lumpur and Tumpat, Kelantan, passing through Kuantan, Pahang and Dungun, Terengganu.
The 620 km ECRL, one of the high-impact projects earmarked under the 11th Malaysia Plan, was announced by the prime minister when tabling the 2017 Budget in October.
The project, which is expected to start next year and complete in 2022, is set to give a positive impact on the local economy and social sector besides cutting travel time.
Costing RM55 billion, the new double-track rail project will be built in phases and funded via soft loans by the Export-Import ( Exim) Bank of China.
The first phase is from Port Klang to Gombak and Dungun, while second phase is from Dungun to Tumpat. Turn to Page B4, Col 4
Abi Sofian Abdul Hamid, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Council Member