SG-KL High Speed Rail Might End at JB Instead of at S’pore, So It’ll Be JB-KL Instead

By
Shawn Ambrose
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You probably started banging your head against the wall after reading the headline, thinking the MRT line between Singapore and Johor Bahru (JB) has been cancelled after 20,000 delays.

Fortunately, the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) is going on as planned, and has already begun construction.

The project we’re discussing today is the High Speed Rail (HSR) between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, which was first announced in 2010.

The 350km line was supposed to cut travelling time between KL and Singapore to 90 minutes, a much shorter trip compared to the grueling four hours by car.

However, it now seems like this project may go on without us.

SG-KL High Speed Rail Might End at JB Instead of at S’pore, So It’ll Be JB-KL Instead

The Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) project may go on without Singapore’s participation, meaning it will end at JB instead of Singapore.

After the announcement in 2010, the project has been postponed twice.

According to The Straits Times, the first extension came in September 2018 and was supposed to end in May 2020, but was further postponed to 31 Dec this year.

The second extension was for the authorities to discuss changes to the project.

However, two sources who spoke to Free Malaysia Today (FMT), a Malaysian news site, said one of the amendments was resuming the project without Singapore’s participation.

FMT claim that Singapore has been informed of this development.

Singapore May Seek Compensation

According to FMT, the two sources were critical of the move, with one saying it would raise doubts about the sustainability of the project.

The source said the project was touted as a game-changer, as it would have ensured seamless travel on one of the world’s busiest air routes.

“KL and Johor Bahru are already served by domestic flights and the North-South Expressway,” he said.

Leaving Singapore out of the deal at such a late stage may cost the country quite a bit, as Singapore may seek compensation.

One of the sources told FMT that Singapore would seek about SG$250 million (RM760 million) in compensation, according to reports.

“This could end up being very costly for taxpayers.”

Ministry of Transport Responds

In response to the FMT report, a Ministry of Transport (MOT) spokesman said that while Malaysia has indeed proposed some changes to the HSR project, the Singapore government still believes it will be beneficial for both countries.

Thus, at least for now, Singapore remains fully committed to fulfilling her obligations under the HSR Bilateral Agreement.

“We will make our best efforts to conclude discussions with Malaysia by 31 Dec 2020,” the spokesman told ST.

However, if Malaysia doesn’t proceed with the project as previously planned, “Malaysia will bear the agreed costs incurred by Singapore in fulfilling the HSR Bilateral Agreement”, the spokesman said.

If this takes as long as the RTS, then it might be some time before we get a concrete answer as to whether we’ll be able to travel to KL in just 90 minutes on land.

Featured Image: aapsky / Shutterstock.com

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Shawn Ambrose
Email: [email protected]