Update on Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail Project Given MyHSR Corp's Recent Request for Information Exercise

Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked the Minister for Transport in light of the Request for Information exercise launched by Malaysia's MyHSR Corp Sdn Bhd on 12 July 2023, whether the Ministry can provide an update on the discussions with the Malaysian government to revive the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail project.

Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Minister for Transport whether the Ministry can provide an update on the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail project.

The Senior Minister of State for Transport (Mr Chee Hong Tat) (for the Minister for Transport): Mr Speaker, may I have your permission to answer Question Nos 4 and 5 together? My reply will also address a question by Mr Louis Chua on the same topic.

Mr Speaker: Please do.

Mr Chee Hong Tat: Thank you. Sir, Singapore is willing to discuss any new proposal for a Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) from Malaysia in good faith, starting from a clean slate. We have not yet received any new proposal from Malaysia.

Mr Speaker: Mr Saktiandi.

Mr Saktiandi Supaat (Bishan-Toa Payoh): Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the Senior Minister of State for the short answer to the question. I have one supplementary question. In regard to, maybe I am jumping the gun here, potentially going forward, the original proposed line was supposed to have a stop at Iskandar-Puteri at the Malaysia side, linking the Nusajaya region within Iskandar, Malaysia to Singapore, Melaka, Seremban and Kuala Lumpur. But going forward, on the Singapore side, are there any changes to plans of the HSR potentially, within Singapore's borders? Is it still going to go through Jurong? If you can share some thoughts on that?

The second supplementary question is in relation to the request for information (RFI), whether the Minister can share if we have any inkling of the concept plans that the Malaysia side has received through the RFI? Concept proposals on their part. So, if you could share on that part as well.

Mr Chee Hong Tat: Mr Speaker, the RFI exercise is conducted by the Malaysians, MyHSR Corporation. As to what are the plans, I think we have to receive the proposal and then we can study the proposal. We will keep an open mind on what are the possibilities, to have a win-win arrangement between Singapore and Malaysia.

Mr Speaker: Mr Louis Chua.

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis (Sengkang): Thank you, Mr Speaker. Just two supplementary questions on that. Firstly, in terms of the RFI by MyHSR Corporation, whether the Ministry of Transport (MOT) or Land Transport Authority (LTA) is actually involved in the preparation of this request, just so that any plans that could involve Singapore potentially, could be factored into that request?

And secondly, in relation to that, were there any Singapore companies that were involved in the initial information gathering stage organised by MyHSR Corporation, in its earlier engagements with the private sector?

Mr Chee Hong Tat: Mr Speaker, I feel like I am repeating myself, but the RFI exercise is conducted by MyHSR Corporation. We are not involved in this RFI exercise.