KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is on the right track towards enhancing its transportation network for better connectivity with Asean member states, says Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
The Deputy Prime Minister said a more efficient transportation network meant improved movement of people, goods and services across the region and China.
“Asean is a big family and a success story. We now have to see how to strengthen relations between Asean member states, with the transportation sector playing a most vital role,” he said after launching the 30th Asean Transport Ministers meeting here yesterday.
Fadillah said Malaysia could play a pivotal role with its recent efforts to develop the transportation network, citing the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link project connecting Malaysia and Singapore.
“There is also the rail link which connects Malaysia, Thailand and Laos right up to China.
“We are in a good position to further strengthen the transportation network with Asean member states,” he said.
The RM10bil RTS Link, connecting Bukit Chagar in Johor Baru to Woodlands in Singapore, is scheduled to be completed by January 2027. On June 27, the first Asean Express cargo rail service departed from the Kelana Jaya inland depot in Selangor and arrived at its destination in Chongqing, China, on July 11.
Fadillah said a more efficient transportation network would be a catalyst for economic growth in the Asean region.
Earlier in his address, the DPM said Asean had achieved several milestones to improve regional integration through initiatives such as the Asean Single Window, Asean Cross-Border Transport Agreements and Asean Highway Network.
Besides the Asean Express rail service and RTS, he said the liberalisation of air transport under the Asean Open Sky Policy also fostered closer economic integration and the expansion of the aviation business.
“AirAsia, with its physical business operations in almost all Asean member states, is basically an Asean airline. Hence, its tagline of ‘Now Everyone Can Fly’ precisely mirrors the significant achievement of Asean,” he added.
In terms of the challenges ahead, Fadillah said Asean must keep up with global megatrends.
“We should prioritise sustainability while addressing environmental issues. This includes digital transformation and utilising artificial intelligence (AI),” he added.
In his welcoming speech, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said there is still much work to be done with regard to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector and harnessing the power of AI.
Loke said it is important that Asean’s transport ministers continue discussions to better understand shared common interests linked with the transportation sector, such as regional power grids to support electric vehicle adoption, the cruise industry to strengthen tourism connectivity, and uniform highway design standards to support a broader highway network.
Also attending the two-day event are the respective transport ministers and representatives from all Asean member states.
