Najib, Lee reiterate high-speed rail link to be completed by 2020

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Singapore Premier Lee Hsien Loong have reiterated that the proposed high-speed rail link between the republic and Kuala Lumpur will be completed as scheduled by 2020.

Najib told reporters yesterday that both governments were mindful that the project was ambitious and both governments were working hard towards meeting the deadline.  

He said the proposed project would enhance cross-border connectivity between both countries.

“I think it is too early for us to revise the timeline at this stage. We wanted it to be an ambitious target, so that we will be very focused and both governments will be directed towards the target date of 2020,” he said.

Najib said the first phase of the joint engineering study to develop the possible alignment for the project and the proposal for the proposed rail transit system (RTS) connecting Singapore and Johor Baru was completed.

“It will soon come a time for us to decide on the best option. We have 27 possible options to make RTS the most efficient and effective transport system that will benefit both nations,” he said.

Najib said Malaysia would make the decision fairly soon on the RTS location in Johor Baru. — Bernama


This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on April 8, 2014.