A BRUNEI-BASED company has proposed a high-speed rail project that would connect the tiny oil rich kingdom, Indonesia and Malaysia over a distance of 1,600km across Borneo island, reports Nikkei Asia.

The project aims to enhance transportation connectivity in the region and boost economic development.

Brunergy Utama said the Trans-Borneo Railways will start from the western to the eastern side of Borneo, with the first phase connecting Pontianak, in Indonesia with Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, and the Brunei district of Tutong.

The second phase, meanwhile, will run south and connect Tutong with Indonesia’s North Kalimantan and East Kalimantan provinces, including the cities of Samarinda and Balikpapan.

It is also projected to eventually connect the future Indonesian capital of Nusantara.

The report said that it is reportedly estimated to cost US$70 billion.

Nikkei Asia stated that Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor has welcomed the proposed project as it would be an economic catalyst for the Borneo region. 

Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi reportedly said last November that his ministry had received a preliminary proposal on the project. 

He said the federal government had approved a financial allocation specifically to carry out a feasibility ground study on the routes within Sabah and Sarawak.

However, Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg said the state government has not been officially approached by the Brunei-based company to start the project.

The Brunei government, meanwhile, has been reported as saying that it has not offered or appointed any local or foreign company to undertake the Trans-Borneo Railway project.

Its transport and information communications ministry said there had been no discussions on the project at the governmental level, including engagements with states and relevant stakeholders, Bernama reported.

“For a project of such scale, it would undoubtedly require the commitment from each respective government first,” the ministry was quoted as saying. – April 7, 2024.