Will the HSR be value for money? Interview with Mr. Mohamad Nur Ismal Kamal

The article below was taken from The Star newspaper, where it had conducted an interview with SPAD Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on the High Speed Rail project between Malaysia and Singapore. The main question that was asked will the HSR be value for money?

I had an opportunity to board a HSR train in China and the experience was fantastic. The train took us from Suzhou to Guangzhou, which is about 900 kilometres in about 3 hours maximum. The stability of the train when it was on high speed also took me by surprise as the trains were reliable and "solid". The in-train crew was also great. 

In Malaysia, i personally agree with Mr. Mohamad Bur Ismal Kamal as i think HSR will definitely be value for money. Just imagine the folks in Malacca, Muar, Batu Pahat and the rest to the south will benefit tremendously. Land and property prices will definitely increase since these areas will be less than an hour or two from Kuala Lumpur.

In addition, it will also reduce the congestion in Kuala Lumpur as people now will be more comfortable to migrate to the outskirts of KL to ensure that they have more quality life with their family members. With this, the traffic condition in Kuala Lumpur will also be reduced thus allowing better air quality in the city centre, which will be of benefit to many people.

I really hope that the government will examine in detail the feasibility report that was carried out/and will be carried out to ensure that we do not miss this opportunity. The alignment of the HSR is crucial as the government must ensure that people that is affected by the rail development benefits most rather than big conglomerates. If this is taken care off, i believe people will not object to the HSR development.   

THE high-speed rail (HSR) is a mega project that not only symbolises the warming of ties between Malaysia and Singapore, but also the increased economic linkages between the two countries.

Iskandar Malaysia has been a magnet of sorts for Singaporeans and more investments are flowing in from Singapore into Malaysia.

HSR proposed alignment between Malaysia and Singapore 

Both Governments have basically given the green light for the HSR project to proceed and tenders are expected to be called next year as studies are ongoing on the finer details of the project.

But as momentum grows towards the construction of a HSR link between both countries, there is growing scepticism whether the project, which is estimated to cost RM40bil, will actually be money well spent.

There is anxiety that once built, the HSR will benefit Singapore more than Malaysia as the link will serve as another channel for Malaysian talent to migrate to higher paying jobs in the south.

That leads to the cost-benefit aspects of the project, as some feel that the existing train infrastructure under KTM Bhd needs to be upgraded to ensure that the country gains from a railway infrastructure instead of enriching its neighbour and economic competitor.

“The priority should be to keep economic value within the country and efforts should be made to create one-hour economic zones in Ipoh, Malacca and Kuantan after the mass rapid transit (MRT) is built rather than surrender the hinterland to Singapore,” says one analyst.

Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chief executive Mohamad Nur Ismal Kamal points out that the HSR does not focus on the aspect of swift mobility of people alone, and that the project is meant to benefit both countries.

As the rail link will integrate the population of both countries to give enough heft towards creating a sizable mass that can attract foreign investments, Mohamad Nur feels that creating linkages between two large population centres will propel Kuala Lumpur and Singapore into the realm of mega-cities.

The HSR will also open new growth avenues, create value-added industries and services along the stops of the railway line that can spur greater economic activities in Malaysia.

Citing examples of HSR lines around the globe, he says they have been successful in creating high value economic developments and some of them have flourished tremendously into mega-cities with population exceeding 10 million people earning high-income per capita.