Najib: HSR project a reflection of the future of Malaysia and Singapore

PUTRAJAYA: The High-Speed Rail (HSR) megaproject, which would connect Malaysia and Singapore, is expected to be fully operational by 2026.
Stating this, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said a bilateral agreement between the governments of Malaysia and Singapore would be signed by the end of this year.
The bilateral agreement would contain more details related to the project, he said.
Najib said once the bilateral agreement is signed, the project team would work on preparing the tender, expected to be issued next year.
"This HSR project is a reflection of the future of Malaysia and Singapore ... Imagine a 90-minute train ride will get you across Singapore and vice versa," he said.
"One can have breakfast in Kuala Lumpur, lunch in Singapore and back in time for dinner in Kuala Lumpur. This is the shape of things to come.
"When you ask how it is going to impact our economy, the short answer is that it will be a game changer," Najib told a joint press conference with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong after witnessing the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two governments on the HSR at Seri Perdana here.
The MoU was signed by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan and Singapore's Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan.
The High Speed Rail would connect Kuala Lumpur and Singapore in 90 minutes through its roughly 350km line, cutting through the states of Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor.
Najib said the construction of the HSR would increase the economic growth in affected areas, adding that almost 30,000 jobs would be created through the project.
"This project will bring about tremendous change, not only in the Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, but also the towns in between - Seremban, Malacca, Muar, Batu Pahat and Johor Baru.
"All these towns along the way will see a new impetus in terms of economic development," he said.
Asked on the total cost of the project, Najib said it would be too early for them to mention any figure.
Meanwhile, Lee said there would be a potential bumps to meet the 10 years dateline, but added that both governments would be working very closely to ensure the success of the project.
"This is a very ambitious timetable as it the MRT line in Singapore took 12 to 15 years from inception to service," he said.
He said the project, once completed, would open up more opportunities for both the business and tourism sectors.
"I see this as a very positive project. It is a major undertaking and we have to get it right," he said.