CYBERJAYA: Malaysia does not yet need a high-speed train service, said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the moment, a high-speed train (service) is not really necessary for Malaysia, especially as it is only within Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.<\/p>\n

\u201cLater on, we might need a high-speed train from Johor Baru to Penang or even to the Thai border. So, we will not build the high-speed train yet,\u201d he told reporters after launching local rail engineering innovation exhibition and technology showcase, or TECHNOMART.<\/p>\n

Instead, Dr Mahathir said, the government was more keen on improving the existing railway services.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to improve the quality of service given by our railway system, and that has been done to some extent, by double tracking and electrification.\u201d<\/p>\n

The prime minister, however, said Malaysia would go back to the discussion table with Singapore within two years to discuss the High-Speed Rail project.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have spoken to Singapore. For the time being, we are not going to build (the high-speed rail). We (have) asked for two years before we begin talks again.<\/p>\n

\u201c(For) the HSR at the moment, we are not giving out any contracts but we have had to compensate to Singapore earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr Mahathir was also asked whether Singapore would be agreeable to the idea of the HSR being connected to the Thai border.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t think they will consider. We only think about Kuala Lumpur.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the possibility of having an HSR alignment from Johor Baru to Penang, the prime minister said eventually, Malaysia would need such an alignment.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen the time comes. We are not yet in need of such an alignment. Eventually, we will need it.\u201d<\/p>\n

On Sept 5, 2018, Singapore agreed to suspend the construction of the project until the end of May 2020.<\/p>\n

As a result of Malaysia\u2019s request for the deferment, it agreed to pay an abortive cost of S$15 million (RM45.6 million) to Singapore by Jan 31 of this year.<\/p>\n

Dr Mahathir also said Malaysians had begun to appreciate using the railway system, which had improved over time.<\/p>\n

He said some Malaysians would rather use the existing railway services than driving and facing traffic jams.<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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