Singapore expresses "surprise" at statement of high-speed rail terminating at JB (Amended)

Latest: Malaysia's transport agency says CEO misquoted on high-speed rail

SINGAPORE'S Ministry of Transport on Friday expressed "surprise" by a recent statement by Malaysia's Land Public Transport Commission to have the high-speed rail terminate at Johor Bahru, instead of Jurong East.

Singapore said that in 2013, both parties agreed to build the high-speed rail (HSR) link between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, and studies have been carried out by both countries.

"We are therefore surprised by the Land Public Transport Commission's recent statement that Malaysia preferred to terminate the HSR at the existing CIQ (customs, immigration and quarantine) complex in Johor Bahru," the Ministry of Transport said in a statement.

"Our understanding is that Malaysia views the commercial premise of the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore HSR project, and with which we agree, as being based on a direct connection between the two city centres. Terminating the HSR in Johor Bahru will not achieve this objective."

It also said that "contrary to what was said in the Malaysian media" by Johor State Exco for Public Works, Rural and Regional Development Committee chairman Haji Hasni bin Haji Mohammad, there has been no agreement with Malaysia that the crossing of the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link will be a high bridge.

"Both countries can only determine the type and alignment of the crossing after both terminus locations have been confirmed. Singapore informed Malaysia in June 2011 that the terminus in Singapore would be located at the Woodlands North station of the Thomson-East Coast Line. However, we have yet to receive official confirmation of the location of Malaysia's RTS terminus in Johor Bahru."

Correction: In an earlier version of the article, we said the Ministry of Transport was surprised by the terminus being located at Johor Bahru, instead of Kuala Lumpur.