The plan to build a high speed train system connecting Singapore and Kuala Lumpur is seem to be finalised and realized soon. Malaysia is said willing to spent RM160 billion for this project (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/business/article/malaysia-to-spend-rm160-billion-on-rail-projects-including-high-speed-train) as it’ll enhance the Malaysia economic activities.

Many componies, locally and oversies, have shown an interest on this project, as reported on http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/10/05/China-shows-interest-in-KLSingapore-highspeed-rail-project.aspx “MMC Corp Bhd, which may team up with Gamuda Bhd and Chinese and European system integrators and YTL Corp Bhd with Spanish bullet train maker Talgo or CAF. Other firms are UEM Group Bhd, which is working with Ara Group to form a consortium with European companies that may also include Talgo, while Global Rail is said to be talking to Canada’s Bombardier Inc and Chinese firm China Railway Group.”

Previously, I reported my concern for the local experts to take part actively on this project https://people.utm.my/dr-sukri/2013/07/31/malaysias-high-speed-train-plan-should-utilise-local-experts/ and to date my concern is still the same.

Recently, Japan’s prime ministry has STRONGLY requested for Malaysia to choose Shikansen technology (http://www.mb.com.ph/japan-pm-talks-up-bullet-train-to-malaysia/). Not to forget that Chinese and Korean have already shown an interest earlier  (http://investvine.com/kl-singapore-high-speed-link-to-kick-off/).

Is Malaysia really need a foreign technology to build it own High Speed Train system??

Malaysia is currently under a rapid development and the target for Malaysia to achieve a developed nation status by 2020 is hardly deniable. Under the 12 National Key Economic Areas for Malaysia engine economic growth and also under the Urban Public Transport National Key Results Area (NKRA) to ease the traffic congestion problems in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is committed to build a high speed train system between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

In February 19, 2013, Singapore and Malaysia announced plans to build the rail link by 2020, which would cut travel time for the 350 kilometres (220 miles) between the city-state and Kuala Lumpur by more than half (4 hours by air including travel to and from the airports, check-in, boarding and other airport procedures) to 90 minutes.

To build a good high speed train system, Malaysia requires a large group of expert from many fields (Eng.,Acct,Manag,Law and etc). If not, Malaysia probably just need to buy the technology, but I hope not and we should grow the local experts. [News: Japan on 25 July 2013 offered Malaysia the technology to build a multi-million-dollar high-speed railway and other infrastructure, as its Prime Minister Shinzo Abe began a regional tour. “Malaysia and Japan agree to cooperate in high technology with Japan providing the technology in the construction of high-speed rail, water and waste treatment,” Abe told reporters at a press conference with his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak.]