KL-Sg HSR still on the cards for Singapore, but with ‘shift in focus’

SINGAPORE (Dec 2): Singapore is open to revisiting discussions on the Kuala Lumpur–Singapore High-Speed Rail (KL-Sg HSR), according to Singapore’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan.

In a recent firechat with Malaysian journalists, he confirmed that Singapore remains receptive should Malaysia put forward a new proposal, but acknowledged the shift in focus.

“It was first proposed by the then–Prime Minister, and we agreed. We signed — we even cleared out golf courses, made infrastructure changes, spent money preparing for it. Then there was a change of decision in KL, and we accepted it.

“If there is a new proposal, we will look at it with fresh eyes. We are open to it. But from what I hear from my Malaysian colleagues, it has to be a commercial enterprise and commercially viable. We will have to see.”

The potential HSR revival is part of a broader discussion on enhancing cross-border connectivity and infrastructure development between the two nations. This includes existing and upcoming initiatives like the Rapid Transit System (RTS) link and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

Meanwhile, touching on the upcoming 12th Malaysia–Singapore Annual Leaders’ Retreat in early December, Balakrishnan hopes to highlight the people’s wants and needs.

“People in Johor want the JS-SEZ to take off; they want the RTS to be on time, and the crossing experience to be improved. And for these sorts of things, more action and less talk is better,” he said.

“If you deliver, people can see and feel it. I would rather let actions speak louder than words.”

Beyond bilateral focus, Balakrishnan drew focus back to the necessity of increasing intra-Asean trade by way of lowering tariff and non-tariff barriers; investing in infrastructure such as the ASEAN Power Grid; improving connectivity between people and economies; and preparing for climate change and the green transition.

“There is a lot of homework to do, both domestically and within Asean,” he affirmed. “In the case of Malaysia and Singapore, we are both members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

“Can we do more with fellow CPTPP members, with the EU, Africa, South America? The answer is yes. There are many opportunities in a world undergoing a fundamental reset and rebalancing of resources, technology, and infrastructure.

“It is a very busy time, but still, we must retain hope and confidence. Robust debates and arguments within countries are important, but we must also take a constructive long-term view.”