‘Discussions to defer HSR ongoing’

PUTRAJAYA: The Singapore Transport Ministry said discussions with Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali to defer the construction of the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail are ongoing.

It said the agreement on the project remained in force.

However, a report by The Straits Times cited an unnamed source as saying that Singapore had agreed to Malaysia’s request to defer the project.

It said both countries were “studying how long the project should be shelved for”.

This was confirmed by Singapore Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan, according to a report by Channel NewsAsia.

Construction on the project, which has been estimated to cost between RM50 billion and RM60 billion, was due to start this year. The high-speed rail was expected to begin operations in 2026.

On May 29, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced that the cabinet agreed to scrap the project.

He, however, later clarified that the government wanted to review the project, which necessitated a postponement.

He said it would take time to finalise matters with the project due to an agreement that was made with the Singaporean government under the previous administration.

Discussions with Economic Affairs Minister Datuk

Seri Azmin Ali to defer construction of the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail are ongoing. SINGAPORE TRANSPORT MINISTRY