Malaysia on track with rail projects

Kuala Lumpur

MALAYSIA is banking on rail to get on track. "Life's too short to not be on the right track", proclaims a Klang Valley MRT ad.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Najib Razak and his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong witnessed the signing of a bilateral agreement to construct a high speed rail (HSR) linking Kuala Lumpur to Singapore. Slated for completion in 2026, its cost has yet to be nailed down as joint tenders will only be called next year.

On Thursday, Mr Najib was at yet another rail function, this time to launch the eagerly anticipated mass rapid transit (MRT). Budgeted at a cost of RM23 billion (S$7.4 billion) but reportedly built for RM2 billion less, the 51 km line from Sungai Buloh to Kajang will be fully operational next year although certa…