HSR Project A Game-Changer: Malaysian PM Najib

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), July 19 (Bernama) -- The Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) project will be a game changer for Malaysia and Singapore including for economic generation, lifestyle and property value, says Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak. He said the project, which is due to complete in 2026, would also generate new impetus in terms of economic development along the way not only in the Klang Valley and Singapore but also towns in between. "Beyond that we think the future of Malaysia and Singapore that is going to be visualised by 2026, we see a very exciting future and that future will be a reality once the project is operational," he said. Speaking in a joint press conference with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at Seri Perdana here Tuesday, Najib said with the project, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore would no longer be seen as distant cities but two closely-connected ones. Najib and Lee earlier witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the HSR project, which signified Malaysia's and Singapore's commitment towards the landmark project. The 350km rail line, which will reduce travel time between the two countries to just 90 minutes with speeds of over 300km/hour, will have eight stations -- Bandar Malaysia, Putrajaya, Seremban, Ayer Keroh, Muar, Batu Pahat, Iskandar Puteri and Singapore. Najib said a study on the project's multiple effects on both countries could be conducted including in terms of increased gross national income (GNI) and creation of job opportunities, estimated at 30,000 following the implementation of the HSR. “Beyond the numbers, the project will bring about tremendous change not only in the Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, the towns in between will see a new impetus in terms of economic development. “There will be an increase in land value. For example, properties along the way will see a tremendous increase in value,” he said. Lee meanwhile said that the HSR would make business and investment affordable, easy and simple. Citing examples of connected cities such as Kaohsiung and Taipei in Taiwan as well as Shanghai and Nanjing in China, he said they have seen more competition, business done and a wide variety of options and rapid progress. "I see this as a very positive project. This is a major undertaking for both sides. We have to get it right, but if we do it will be a strategic contribution,” Lee said. On the tender process, Najib said Malaysia and Singapore are committed in ensuring a fair, transparent and objective process. “This project has attracted so much international interest. It is incumbent upon us to make sure the process is fair, transparent and objective. “The image and integrity of both countries will be at stake. You can rest assured that the process will be carried out in the fairest possible way,” he said. Lee added that both countries would also make joint decisions to ensure the project gets the best value. "Both sides will work closely. This is a joint project and we both have to carry the consequences of the choice,” he said. On the project's cost, Najib said it was not right to mention any figures at this stage because the bids have yet to open, and only when both countries have arrived at the final outcome would they be specific in terms of the cost of the project. "As it will be delivered in 10 years' time obviously a lot of changes will take place, therefore it is not appropiate to mention the cost as this stage," he said. Asked on potential bumps that might mitigate the project timeline, Lee, while admitting it would be a very tight timeline, said as long as both countries are able to put aside the resources which are available the project would proceed. "The project itself is very complex and we need to have all the things right in order to make sure the project can be done," he said. -- BERNAMA