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Get public involved in S’pore-KL rail project

I agree with the points raised in “Do not let 2020 rail deadline rush us on major decisions” (April 12). The United Kingdom and France took more than 100 years to agree to construct the Channel Tunnel.

I agree with the points raised in “Do not let 2020 rail deadline rush us on major decisions” (April 12). The United Kingdom and France took more than 100 years to agree to construct the Channel Tunnel.

The high-speed rail is unlike any bilateral business venture we have invested in abroad. Let us spend enough time to iron out all conceivable issues before finalising the plan.

The authorities could disclose the findings and understandings we have derived to let people from both nations appreciate the difficulties and risks involved and contribute ideas.

For example, who are the likely passengers? Why would they use the train? How much are they willing to pay? How viable is future growth? Would the train be a business partnership between two governments or a publicly listed company eventually?

How about funding? How much would both governments contribute? How much from the capital market? How might possible losses in the initial years be managed?

What will be the governments’ roles after its completion? What entities would operate it?

What new legislation needs to be passed or institutions set up, such as the Channel Tunnel Act and the forming of the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority in the UK and France?

In future, it may be feasible to extend the rail to Penang or Bangkok and beyond. How would these decisions be made? Would future developments be treated as separate entities or as an expansion of the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur high-speed rail?

Also, how would the environmental impact and possible social resistance be handled?

We must assure people and investors of the measures that would be taken to insulate the project from any future political shocks, if possible by specifying how and where to settle disputes.

We have achieved understanding at the highest political level. Getting businesses and the people better informed and involved would make them better stakeholders of the project when it is completed.

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