The upcoming KL-Singapore high-speed rail (HSR) rail project is expected to contribute RM100 billion to Malaysia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with 70% from that amount originating from the project’s construction, operations and the multiplier impact of the two activities.
The remaining 30% will be generated from the expanded economic benefits resulting from areas like real estate, tourism, and service sectors. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Razali Ibrahim explained this in Parliament recently.
“Malaysia and Singapore at a meeting between prime ministers Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Lee Hsien Loong, had reiterated their commitment for the project including on its terms and new date of completion,” Razali said in reply to a question posed by Rompin MP Datuk Hasan Arifin.
The game-changing project was scheduled for completion by 2020, but that deadline has been reportedly delayed to 2022, citing the scale and complexity of the project.
Many parties have expressed their interest in developing the proposed 330 km-long line, including China, which claims it can meet the initial 2020 deadline, as well as the French with their Train à Grande Vitesse (TGV).
Further details about the HSR project will be revealed in 2017, with a new company named MyHSR Corp being assigned as project lead. According to the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), the ticket price for a one-way trip on the HSR line is expected to cost “less than RM200.”
He did not say whether there will be subsidies, should the revenue be less than the financial commitment. That’s the scariest part.
I’m sure there will be some sort of “concession agreement” where the taxpayers will end up subsidising it on a long term basis.
They must have looked at the ERL and how passengers through KLIA have been subsidising this service and have grown to accept it….or have totally forgotten about it.
fulamak..rich la malaysia afterwards..later can have free education or not minister?? or still want to pull more money from rakyat?
A key ingredient for foreign investment is connectivity. With Bangkok to the north and Singapore to the south, KLIA can never hope to compete as a travel hub. As such , a high speed rail link is the next best thing and is essential to attracting direct foreign investment to expand our economy. This should have been expedited a long time ago….
How can this project benefit to the average Malaysian people economically? We have seen so many big projects , but the cost of living is going up.
Bolehland get million of billion profit oso wont be enuff.. Our gomen will use the money for own benefits. Its nasi lemak gomen… De whole world knows abt it!
Just cancel this useless project. Gov should focus and use the billions ringgit to upgrade & connect new routes to the current track. The construction current KTMB tracks still in progress for southern route & now gov is thinking of building a new HSR. This HSR just benefits certain people( businessman. rich people & Singaporean especially)
Agreed. First and foremost this project MUST benefit the lives of the average/majority of the Malaysian people , which at this moment is very difficult to justify.Why can’t just upgrade the existing KTMB trains fleet?
I wouldn’t say I agree wholeheartedly with this project, neither would I reject it.
Based on your arguments, I believe how Malaysians are going to benefit is through the spillover effect from the Singaporeans.
They would come stay in the towns along the HSR corridor, therefore bringing in business – creating townships and whatnot.
But then again, that is not the only thing to consider. Price of property is definitely going up, but could ‘theoretically’ be remedied by having allocated area for affordable Township.
Anyway, there are good and bad side of infrastructure. Just have to see which one carry the most weight.
How to attract investment with lousy KTMB? Upgrade also slow, better stop wasting money on KTMB. The spill over effect of HSR is much higher than KTMB.
yes, please build this hsr to singapore to transport all those banglas back and fro sg to mys. both countries will gain.
To get this done, the business model especially the value proposition to the rakyat must be made very clear. Also, the financing of this project has got to be on a viable cash flow. No more secretive subsidies by rakyat or long term escalation clause which cannot be renegotiated. Why the fuss? Our rail connectivity in the country both in Peninsular as well as west Malaysia are still in deplorable state. In Peninsular, our northern states are only just connected thru ETS. What about our east coast states? Rail is the preferred infrastructure as it will support high volume of users including the ‘Mail’ logistics. Unless a strong business case can be made on HSR, it’s better to improve the rail connectivity internally first. I hope the relevant govt agency will be transparent in engaging with the stakeholders.
With current Malaysia security condition, do you think foreigners are willing to come to this VISE city?
How will this project benefit average Malaysian living along the line? Surely they wont be using it since the train wont be stopping at each town, let alone at their kampongs. but they have to sacrifice their only properties for them to live/work on for the benefit of few in Singapore/KL?
EDTP south apa cerita?