Singapore-Malaysia high speed rail project terminated

Malaysia to compensate Singapore for costs already incurred.

The Kuala Lumpur – Singapore High Speed Rail Bilateral Agreement (HSR BA) has been terminated after Singapore and Malaysia failed to reach an agreement on several changes Malaysia proposed.

The HSR BA aimed to govern the project management of a new high-speed train line that would connect Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. It had hoped this would boost cross-border trade and business between the two countries.

Prime Minister of  Singapore Lee Hsien Loong and Prime Minister of Malaysia YAB Tan Sri Muhyiddin bin Mohd Yassin met via videoconference on December 2, 2020 to review the status of the HSR Project, including changes proposed by Malaysia.

According to the Ministry of Transport, Malaysia has allowed the HSR BA to be terminated and will compensate SIngapore for costs already incurred whilst fulfilling its obligations under the agreement.

“Our relationship with Malaysia is deep and multi-faceted, and we look forward to continued good relations and close cooperation with Malaysia for the mutual benefit of the people of both countries,” the ministry said.