INTERNATIONAL Trade and Industry Minister Darell Leiking has downplayed the potential negative impacts of postponing the high-speed rail (HSR) project with Singapore, saying that Malaysia’s current investment infrastructure still holds benefits for our southern neighbours, reported the Straits Times.

“Our current investment infrastructure benefits Singapore,” Leiking said in a recent interview with the Singapore daily, dismissing suggestions that postponing the project would impact future investments by Singaporean investors. 

The project, which would link Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, is under review, and no decision has yet been made on its status.

“As far as the HSR is concerned, it’s only at the review stage. This is the third month; it’s not even 100 days of the current… government,” he said.

“Always remember, three months in, and we are managing the misdeeds of the past.”

Leiking said he believed Singapore understood the need for the new government to review all existing projects that may not be beneficial for the country.

“Singapore is our neighbour and I’m sure they’ll understand that Prime Minister Mahathir (Mohamad) and his government are reviewing how this (HSR) would mutually best serve us. Give us some time.”

Malaysia had announced it would postpone the HSR project as it sought to reduce government spending, but government officials have yet to sit down with their Singapore counterparts to discuss the way forward.

Besides the HSR, another issue being tracked closely by Singaporean investors is the Iskandar region in Johor.

Leiking said though the government was looking at reviewing the East Coast Economic Corridor and Northern Corridor Economic Region in Peninsular Malaysia, the southern corridor in Iskandar would remain.

“We will not forget the stakeholders, like Singaporeans, who have invested in it,” he said.

Leiking said that while Pakatan Harapan needed to ensure that Malaysia was protected, the government was conscious about being careful not to “throw it (economic regions) out the back door”. – August 8, 2018.