South Korea banks on experience to secure KL-Singapore HSR project

Come face to face with South Korea's prowess in building and operating high-speed rail, right at Nu Sentral.

KUALA LUMPUR: South Korea is banking on its 12-year experience in its Korea Train Express (KTX) implementation in its quest to bid for the proposed high speed rail (HSR) project linking Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. 

Its Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister, Kang Hoin said the KTX track construction and implementation had enabled South Korea to gain ample knowledge and know-how in developing the HSR network. 

“I believe South Korea stands a better chance in bidding for the HSR project as we understand the technology and the costs that fit into the conditions and situation in a country,” he told reporters after meeting Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

He said the KL-Singapore HSR’s business model would be based on the request for proposal (RFP) sought by SPAD which is expected to be announced by the middle of next year. 

“After the RFP announcement, we will consider many optimal conditions for the business model and we will find an effective and quick suggestion to be implemented for this project,” he said. 

Earlier, during the meeting, Kang expressed the South Korean government readiness to participate in the KL-Singapore HSR project, including sharing its HSR expertise in reducing operation costs, technology transfer, maintenance information and running the operations efficiently. 

“The Malaysian government clearly understands our advantages and welcome our strong willingness to participate in this mega project,” he said. 

Kang is scheduled to meet Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and MyHSR Corp chief executive officer Mohd Nur Ismal Mohamed Kamal on Wednesday.

South Korea, which adopted the French system for its first-generation trains, is now ranked fourth in the world in operating high-speed train technology, after France, Germany and Japan. 

Since the KTX started in 2004, it has recorded zero casualties and 99.88% in punctuality. - Bernama