MALAYSIA will meet Singapore by the end of July to discuss the fate of the stalled high-speed rail (HSR) project, said Azmin Ali. 

The economic affairs minister said Singapore requested a meeting to discuss the matter and he will try to accommodate it. 

“Based on a diplomatic note which was sent by the Singapore government to Wisma Putra, they proposed the meeting should be held by the end of July. I will try my level best to accommodate this request,” Azmin said at the Parliament lobby.

He added that the project was not a bad initiative from both governments as it will benefit both countries but the terms need to be renegotiated.

“I’m not saying this is a terrible project but certainly any infrastructure project may benefit both Malaysia and Singapore. 

“This will not affect the diplomatic ties between both countries.”

The Gombak MP said the previous Barisan Nasional government hid the HSR’s true costs from the public. 

“We cannot just look at the project cost itself. There are hidden costs that were not informed to the public. This is a normal practice by the BN government.

“We, as the PH government, we are very transparent and accountable to the people. We will make sure all the costs are disclosed,” Azmin said. 

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the HSR was “too costly” at its RM110 billion valuation.

The 350km railway line will link Kuala Lumpur and Singapore and was expected to begin operations from 2026.

Dr Mahathir’s announcement of the project’s postponement has ruffled some feathers in Singapore, which claims it has yet to receive any official notification on the cancellation of the mega-project.

Singapore’s minister of infrastructure and transport Khaw Boon Wan told Singapore’s parliament that the republic has already incurred more than S$6 million (RM18 million) for the project and was expected to incur the same amount this month.

Singapore has spent more than S$250 million on the project, based on preliminary estimates, he said. – July 18, 2018.