The KL–Singapore High-Speed Rail Project Is No More

In the joint statement, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that their respective governments wish to provide an update on the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore HSR project in view of the expiry of the suspension period of the HSR Project on 31 December 2020.

"In light of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the Malaysian economy, the Government of Malaysia had proposed several changes to the HSR Project," the Singapore PM said.

"Both Governments had conducted several discussions with regard to these changes and had not been able to reach an agreement. Therefore, the HSR Agreement had lapsed on 31 December 2020," read the statement.

"Both countries will abide by their respective obligations, and will now proceed with the necessary actions, resulting from this termination of the HSR Agreement. Both countries remain committed to maintaining good bilateral relations, and cooperate closely in various fields, including strengthening the connectivity between the two countries," the joint statement stated.

According to the Singapore Ministry of Transport, the Malaysian government as to compensate Singapore for costs already incurred by Singapore in fulfilling its obligations under the KL-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) Bilateral Agreement (BA) in accordance with the Parties’ agreement.

While the statement did not provide details about the compensation amount that the Malaysian government has to now pay Singapore, it was reported that it could cost the Malaysian taxpayers about RM300 million.

The amount was reported by The Edge Malaysia on 24 December 2020, citing a source.

The project was aimed at cutting travel time between KL and Singapore to 90 minutes.

The 350km route was mapped to cut across four states in Malaysia, with plans to stimulate economies of the localities surrounding the eight stations serviced along the way (from Bandar Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur to Jurong East in Singapore).

"It's not beneficial. It's going to cost us a huge sum of money. We'll make no money at all from this arrangement," Tun Dr Mahathir had said, adding that it "will not earn us a single cent".