Singapore and Malaysia to sign High-Speed Rail project MoU on July 19

SINGAPORE (July 15): Singapore and Malaysia will sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the High-Speed Rail (HSR) project linking Kuala Lumpur with Singapore next Tuesday, said Channel NewsAsia in a Bernama report.

"We are working towards signing the MoU on July 19, 2016. We are still in the process of confirming the details," a spokesperson from Singapore's Ministry of Transport was quoted as saying.

The spokesperson added that the ceremony would be witnessed by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his counterpart Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. The latter is set to host the event at Seri Perdana, Putrajaya. 

The project was first announced by both prime ministers in 2013.

Measuring a total of 350km with seven stops, the HSR line involves a double track on standard gauge to move trains that can run at speeds of more than 300kph. At least 60 four-car trains worth around RM5 billion are required to service this line.

The HSR is expected to trim travel time between the two cities to about 90 minutes, compared with up to five hours by road.

Japan, South Korea and China are among the countries that have shown interest to take part in the proposed mega project.

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