KL-Singapore High-Speed Rail to enhance ties, improve business linkages - PM

The proposed Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) will enhance people-to-people ties and improve business linkages between the two countries, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Thus, said the Prime Minister, Malaysia and Singapore had decided to take it a step further with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the project in Putrajaya tomorrow.

The event will be held in conjunction with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's one-day visit to Malaysia tomorrow.

"Once completed, Malaysians will be able to have 'nasi lemak' in Kuala Lumpur, close deals over 'chili crab' in Singapore and be back for a dinner of 'rendang' with the family," Najib said in his latest post on his blog www.najibrazak.com.

He said connectivity as a whole "and specifically public transportation are very dear and close to my heart".

The proposed 350-km line, which will begin in Bandar Malaysia, seven kilometres from the Kuala Lumpur city centre, and end in Jurong East, Singapore, was expected to cut travel time between KL and Singapore to about 90 minutes from about five hours by road.

The proposed train is expected to have five transit stations, namely Seremban, Ayer Keroh, Muar, Batu Pahat and Iskandar Puteri.

Touching on bilateral relations, Najib said the ties had become stronger after he became the prime minister.

"I have been advocating a spirit of mutual benefit between our two countries. Together, we are on a forward trajectory in both trade cooperation and people-to-people ties," he said.

He said this mutually beneficial relationship between Malaysia and Singapore was underlined in the two countries' development plans.

"We trust that with good governance, we will be able to develop a strong, inclusive and sustainable economy based on sound fundamentals. Our shared belief in stability, harmony and diversity complements our mutual aspirations for both our countries and the region," he added.

He also noted that the growing significance of the ASEAN region was a testament to the success of Malaysia and Singapore's joint effort with the other ASEAN partners.

"The global pie is big, and both Malaysia and Singapore are in strategic position to continue leading ASEANs stake on a larger share of the global Foreign Direct Investment pie," he said.