The KL-Singapore High Speed Rail Link Project
A high-speed rail link between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur may be completed by 2020. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, and the Singaporean Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong described the project as a "game changer." Will this link be completed as expected, or will it be another abandoned project like the Scenic Bridge that Abdullah Badawi called off?
By Judith Yeoh — 19 Feb 2013, 05:03 PM — Updated over 10 years ago
The KL-Singapore Bullet Train Project Is Not Economically Viable, Says Transit Adviser
The government’s high speed rail link project between Malaysia and Singapore is not economically viable, Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Risyhakaran said today.
Rajiv was responding to Tokyo’s announcement yesterday that Japan hoped its bullet train technology would be chosen for the RM40 billion project.
“Even though we don’t have the exact figures, the service is unlikely to break even,” Rajiv, who is also Transit (Association for the Improvement of Mass Transit) adviser, told FMT.
“With a ticket priced at RM170 a head, our earnings will be significantly be lower. I cannot imagine the service breaking even,” he added.
Institut Rakyat economist Azrul Azwar Ahmad Tajuddin said the RM40 billion would be better spent improving public transportation in urban areas nationwide. “Rather than connecting Singapore and Malaysia, improving the public transportation system can help lower the cost of living and is good for the environment because there will be fewer cars.
The KL-Singapore High Speed Rail Link Project Will Be Finalised In 2014
Malaysia has been offered Japan's high-speed train technology for the proposed rail link between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
The proposed Singapore-Kuala Lumpur high-speed rail link will be finalised next year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said on Twitter today.
thestar.com.my"Insya-Allah (God willing), we will be able to finalise the proposed Singapore-KL high-speed rail project next year," he said in his tweet.
thestar.com.myThree companies from Japan have expressed their interest to participate in the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur high-speed rail link project, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today.
nst.com.my
Which company is going to take on the project
YTL Corp Bhd and Hartasuma Sdn Bhd have also been named as those contending for the project said to be worth RM20 billion to RM30 billion.
Kerajaan negeri Johor dan jutawan logistik Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary akan bersaing bagi merebut projek keretapi laju yang menghubungkan antara bandar KL dan Singapura.
An economic boost for both countries
The planned KL-Singapore high-speed rail link could become a model to spur greater connectivity among all ASEAN neighbours should the multibillion ringgit project achieve its 2020 deadline.
The project is set to bring indirect economic benefits including a boom in tourism, services, property, enhanced business partnership links and job creation.
thestar.com.my
About the new high-speed rail link
Najib said the high-speed rail link would be built via public-private partnership with strong government participation.
thestar.com.my
The distance between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur is roughly 350km. By comparison, London and Paris are about 480km apart.
therealsingapore.com
The leaders have tasked the Iskandar Malaysia Joint Ministerial Committee to look into the details and modalities of the High Speed Rail Link.
reuters.com
The link will cut travel time between the two capitals to 90 minutes.
thestar.com.my
Both leaders also expect operations of the new ferry terminal in Tanjung Puteri to commence this year.
thestar.com.my
Singapore & Malaysia to benefit from the link
The move came as Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak met in Singapore for talks.
"It's a strategic project for the two countries, it will change the way we see each other," said Mr Lee. "I think it's going to be a game-changer.
therealsingapore.com
It will usher a new era of strong, growth, prosperity and opportunities for both countries and facilitate travel between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, and enhance business linkages
bernama.com.myThe Scenic Bridge that didn't happen
SG long opposed building the "scenic bridge", but not if Malaysia supplied sand for land reclamation and allowed its air force planes to fly through Malaysian airspace.
singapore-window.orgMalaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said, "If we want to build a bridge, it must be a bridge of understanding."
singapore-window.orgIn jest, Dr Mahathir said: “I thought it was ‘cynic’ bridge. Is that how you spell it?”
thestar.com.my
Scenic Bridge, the Malaysia vs Singapore story
jeelife.comThe current Johor-Singapore Causeway Link
Malaysia–Singapore Second Link, also known as the Tuas Link. The bridge was built to reduce the traffic congestion at the Johor–Singapore Causeway, and was opened to traffic on 2 January 1998.
Image via wikimedia.orgJohorBahru 2020 wrote 6 months ago: Build underground tunnel walkways complete with travelator and also build a link for MRT. So that people can walk underground and also take the MRT.
wikimapia.org
The Johor-Singapore Causeway (Malay: Tambak Johor) is a 1,056 metre causeway that links the city of Johor Bahru in Malaysia across the Straits of Johor to the town of Woodlands in Singapore.
Image via wikimapia.orgThe real truth behind is probably that Malaysian want to replace the causeway with a bridge that can allow ships to cross by, thus reducing the dominance of Singapore in regional cargos handling.
jeelife.com