Singapore continues to incur costs on HSR project, awaits clarification from Malaysia

SINGAPORE: Singapore is awaiting clarification from Malaysia on its position on the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail project and continues to incur costs as it continues to meet its obligations under the agreement.

The Straits Times quoted Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Monday as saying in Parliament that Singapore has sent the Malaysian government a diplomatic note requesting a clarification on the issue.

This follows an announcement by Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in May that the project would be dropped.

The HSR is one of two mega infrastructure projects that has been taken off the shelf for the time being under the Pakatan Harapan government.

According to the report, Dr Balakrishnan commented on the HSR in response to a broader question from MPs on the state of relations between Singapore and Malaysia.

“We look forward to an official response to our third-person note from the Malaysian government soon.

“Should Malaysia cause the HSR project to be terminated, we will deal with the question of compensation from Malaysia for costs incurred, in accordance with the binding agreement and international law.

“The Singapore Government has a duty to safeguard public funds by recovering these costs,” he was quoted as saying.