More than a fast mode of travel

TRANSFORMER: Rail system will prosper the nation, says professor

THE High-Speed Rail (HSR) project will boost the economy in towns identified to have stations and places adjacent to them, thanks to the spillover effect.

Datuk Dr John Antony Xavier, professor of management at the Graduate School of Business, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, said the project was spot on in terms of infrastructure development priorities.

He said the HSR, which would cut travel time between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to 90 minutes, would boost the economy by greatly improving connectivity between the major economic regions while reducing congestion.

John Antony described it as a feasible proposal that made economic sense because the HSR would open up opportunities for economic and social development in regional cities and improve the delivery of services, such as giving employers better access to skilled workers.

“The HSR is more than just an efficient, economical, environmentally-friendly and safe way to travel between KL and Singapore.

“It will have a great transformational effect that will prosper the nation, as the high-speed rail system will create more jobs for locals,” he told the New Straits Times.

Perak Tourism Association (PTA) president Odzman Abdul Kadir said the tourism industry must be ready to attract more visitors.

Citing Perak as an example, he said the state should have a marketing strategy in place to take advantage of the HSR project.

“Perak is a beautiful state with its heritage and eco-tourism appeal. Tourists enjoy our landscape and unique attractions, such as Gua Tempurung and Royal Belum State Park.

“The HSR project bodes well for the state, as Ipoh has an efficient link to Kuala Lumpur via the intercity Electric Train Service (ETS).”

PTA, he said, would collaborate with stakeholders to give worldclass service to tourists and make it easier for them to travel to other parts of Perak.

Odzman said domestic tourist arrivals in the state increased by 70 per cent since ETS started last year.

The HSR project, targeted to begin operation in 2026, will have eight stations — Bandar Malaysia, Putrajaya, Seremban, Ayer Keroh, Muar, Batu Pahat, Iskandar Puteri and Singapore.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong witnessed the signing of the project’s memorandum of understanding in Putrajaya on Tuesday.