TWO former prime ministers and several former ministers have been named as defendants in a suit over the cancellation of the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail (HSR) project.

Claimant Mohd Hatta Sanuri is suing former prime ministers Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Muhyiddin Yassin, former economic affairs minister Mustapa Mohamed, former transport minister Wee Ka Siong and the government over the scrapping of the RM68 billion project.

A statement of claim filed on December 30 said Dr Mahathir was negligent and had committed tort of misfeasance in public office when he decided to postpone the project in 2018. As a result, Malaysia had to pay Singapore RM46 million in compensation. 

Hatta alleged that Muhyiddin was also negligent and had committed a tort of misfeasance in public office when his administration terminated the project on January 1, 2021. Malaysia was required to pay Singapore RM320 million in compensation under the bilateral agreement.

About 70,000 potentially high-paying jobs were lost when the deal was scrapped, as was RM70 billion in profits, he said.

Meanwhile, the RM366 million in compensation money to Singapore was a loss suffered by every Malaysian, he added.

The cancellation also resulted in a loss of foreign investor confidence, he said.

Hatta is seeking to have the project revived as well as damages and compensation amounting to RM1 million for each Malaysian citizen for the delay in the completion of the project.

Malaysia and Singapore signed a bilateral agreement in December 2016 to build the HRL but the project was terminated in January 2021 following several delays.

The 350km rail line was to have shortened the travelling time from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore to a mere 90 minutes. 

Hatta the claimant is known for taking the government to court over the case of the International Court of Justice awarding Singapore sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh, or Pedra Branca. 
– January 30, 2023.