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HSR to slash travel time between Malaysia, Singapore

Malaysia and Singapore have signed an agreement to implement the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur High-Speed Rail (HSR) project.

Malaysia and Singapore have signed an agreement which paves the way for the implementation of the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur High-Speed Rail (HSR) project.

The project will slash travel times between the Southeast Asian neighbors from over five hours by road to 90 minutes.

The two sides signed the agreement in a ceremony in Malaysia attended by Singapore Prime Minister, Lee Hseien Loong and his Malaysian counterpart, Najib Razak.

In a joint press conference, Singapore Prime Minister said there is a strong political will and focus from Singapore and Malaysia to ensure the HSR project is done right. Lee added that the HSR line will transform the way the two countries interact, socialize and do business, for the better.

"It's about 10 years, but as you know, (given) the size of this project, the complexity of this project, 10 years is a relatively short period of time, which means we have to work very closely together," he said.

Najib went further saying that the two sides are determined to implement the project according to schedule.

The bilateral agreement came after the two neighboring countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the 350 km rail project in July. Of the entire rail system, 15 km will lie in Singapore and 335 km in Malaysia.

Firms from China, Japan, South Korea and Europe are among those to have expressed interest in the project. The rail link was initially expected to be operational by 2020, but the neighbors said due to the current complexities, it will be completed by 2026.

 

 


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