No decision yet on bullet train, says Malaysia

The Straits Times, March 29, 2007


KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIAN Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy has denied a report that Malaysia and Singapore have approved construction of a bullet train linking the two countries, saying the plan is still being considered.

'The government has still not made a final decision, it is still looking at the proposal,' Datuk Seri Chan was quoted as saying on Tuesday by the Bernama news agency.

He also said KL did not have a timetable for a decision as it wanted to thoroughly evaluate the proposal.

A report on Monday in the New Straits Times newspaper (of Malaysia) said the two nations had approved the high-speed train proposed last year by Malaysian conglomerate YTL Corp.

Citing an unnamed YTL official, the report said YTL would build the rail link by the end of 2009 at a cost of RM8 billion (S$3.5 billion), and design plans and studies were under way.

A spokesman for Singapore's Ministry of Transport said on Monday that the Republic is open to the idea of the link but is still waiting for a proposal.

Malaysian lawmakers said yesterday that the track, if built, should stop in Johor Baru and not Singapore, the Utusan Malaysia daily said.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE