M’sians working in S’pore devastated by HSR cancellation

KUALA LUMPUR – The cancellation of the KL-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) project has disappointed many Malaysians working in Singapore.

For them, the HSR cancellation is an opportunity for an easier commute lost.

Perling assemblyman Cheo Yee How, who has many constituents working in Singapore, told The Vibes that the HSR could have brought about a socio-economic boost for Malaysia.

“The cancellation is a waste; the HSR project could have been a catalyst for the country to move forward.”

He said the halting of the project would not only affect his constituents but the entire country, given the project would have improved connectivity with Singapore.

“Some of those staying in my constituency may have hometowns outside Johor, so this project would have made it easier for them to travel home.

“I am not sure if they cancelled the project in full; even if they continue the HSR project until Johor Baru, it would at least be something.”

Several Malaysians who commute to Singapore said they share Cheo’s sentiments.

“The HSR had the potential to be our very own Shinkansen (Japanese bullet train). Imagine being able to hop on a train after only having to purchase a ticket, without the two-hour wait time incurred by flying, and head home or wherever we want to in Malaysia,” Renu Kanapathy told The Vibes.

She added that the project would have benefited Johor residents who travel daily to Singapore, avoiding congestion on the Johor-Singapore Causeway and Malaysia-Singapore Second Link.

“As a Malaysian, I would like to think that cities like Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and maybe even Melaka, vis-a-vis Singapore, would have become travel hubs (thanks to the HSR), giving our trade and tourism a boost. What a waste.”

Meanwhile, Sajeev Revindran, a Malaysian living and working in Singapore, said the HSR could have reduced the hassle of having to go through the border.

Currently, Malaysians who travel by bus have to go through near standstill traffic during rush hour and hop off the bus to go through immigration and customs inspections.

“If the HSR project takes off, travellers and commuters would not have to go through the cumbersome checks. Those who drive can avoid traffic jams,” Sajeev said.

Malaysian Andrew Kasavan also expressed disappointment over the HSR cancellation.

“I was really looking forward to it (HSR) because it’s a faster alternative to taking flights to KL from Singapore. It would have been progressive for both countries.

“It would have created more job opportunities for Malaysians to manage HSR operations in both countries.

“Business opportunities for towns along the route where the stations would have been constructed could have helped promote their growth as well.”

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed had said on January 4 that Putrajaya’s decision to scrap the HSR project was attributed to the dampened economy brought by the pandemic.

Putrajaya is expected to compensate Singapore after the cancellation, with Mustapa saying the amount would probably be less than SG$270 million (RM821 million). – The Vibes, January 7, 2021