Johor opposition supports HSR deferment

PETALING JAYA (June 14): Johor opposition leader Datuk Hasni Mohammad has hailed Pakatan Harapan administration’s decision to postpone the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail (HSR) instead of cancelling it outright.

He said it was the right decision as it held great potential for the local rail industry, reported Bernama.

The development and construction of the high-speed rail is a new industry for Malaysia and would thus open up many opportunities, he added.

This follows Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s earlier remarks this week while on an official visit to Japan that the project, which he said would cost RM110 billion, will be postponed instead of cancelled.

While the project will be carried out later as the government must pare down the national debt, it has its merits as it would enable travel from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore in 90 minutes, from the current three hours by road.