MALAYSIA and Singapore are still negotiating over the transboundary High-Speed Rail (HSR) project, said  Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Mustapa Mohamed.

Mustapa said discussions were ongoing over proposals mooted by Malaysia to improve the project.

“Both countries have until December 31, 2020 to wrap up the negotiation process,” he said in a statement today.

“The government will make an announcement after a consensus is reached and the negotiations are concluded.”

FMT reported that the rail project linking the two countries would proceed without Singapore’s participation.

 The report quoting sources said the new plan was for the line to start from Kuala Lumpur as planned but end in Johor Baru instead of in Singapore.

On September 5, 2018, both governments agreed to suspend the construction of the project until May 31, 2020.

The Malaysian government has worked with MyHSR Corporation Sdn Bhd to identify cost-reduction options, such as reviewing and optimising the rail project’s alignment, station locations and business model.

In response, Singapore’s Transport Ministry said it was informed by the Malaysian government that it would like to propose some changes to the HSR project and had requested a seven-month extension to allow both sides to discuss Malaysia’s proposal.

In the spirit of bilateral cooperation, the ministry said Singapore had agreed to a “final extension” of seven months to December 31, 2020.