SINGAPORE — Singapore and Malaysia will announce their “joint decisions” on the future of the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-speed Rail (HSR) project and the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) link soon, said Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan on Thursday (Aug 30).

After a meeting with Malaysian Economic Minister Azmin Ali, Mr Khaw wrote on his Facebook page: “Always delightful meeting Minister Azmin Ali, brainstorming ideas on how to further our bilateral relationship.”

“There is so much we can do together, for mutual benefits. He is an inspiring leader. We should be able to announce our joint decisions on RTS and HSR soon,” he added.

On his part, Mr Azmin tweeted: “We are inching closer to a win-win deal on HSR, thanks to the hardwork of officials from both sides.”

The fate of the two infrastructure projects has been uncertain since the Pakatan Harapan government won the May 9 election.

The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on Wednesday, citing sources close to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, that the HSR project will be deferred for two years.

Dr Mahathir had initially asked for the project to be cancelled to better manage Putrajaya's RM1 trillion (S$336 billion) debt.

Malaysia faces a hefty reimbursement fee if it terminates the deal with the Republic.

Sources cited in the SCMP report noted that in some instances, Dr Mahathir’s off-the-cuff remarks should not be taken as firm government policy.

The HSR project, first proposed by Malaysia in 2013, is a 350km line that would have slashed rail travel time between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to 90 minutes.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke said in July that the Cabinet has approved in principle the RTS project but it is still looking into the cost and other final details.

The next step is to set up a joint operation company between Malaysia and Singapore as the RTS involves two separate countries. An earlier deadline to set up a joint venture by June 30 has been missed.

Slated to start running by end-2024, the RTS will connect Johor's Bukit Chagar and Singapore's Woodlands North, where it will join the upcoming Thomson-East Coast Line.

The RTS link will run above ground in Johor and on a 25m-high bridge track across the straits before travelling underground to Woodlands North in the island republic.

The RTS trains will be able to carry up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction, translating into an additional capacity of 60,000 users crossing the causeway during peak hours. AGENCIES

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