They are too eager to turn up the GE vibe to clarify and check.
Source: CNA
Malaysia's Land Public Transport Commission says CEO misquoted on High Speed Rail terminus
Singapore's Ministry of Transport earlier said it was "surprised" that Malaysia's Land Public Transport Commission had said in an interview that it preferred to terminate the upcoming high-speed rail terminus in JB. However, the commission says its CEO was misquoted.
POSTED: 19 Jun 2015 17:06 UPDATED: 19 Jun 2015 21:44
SINGAPORE: Malaysia's Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) late Friday (Jun 19) said that its CEO was misquoted in an interview pubished by a Malaysian business paper, that it preferred to terminate the upcoming high-speed rail (HSR) terminus at the two nations' existing CIQ (customs, immigration and quarantine) complex in Johor Bahru.
In an interview with The Edge Malaysia published on Monday, SPAD's CEO Mohd Nur Ismal Mohd Kamal was asked to elaborate on how the final station on Singapore's end is "an issue".
"We would prefer to terminate the line at the existing CIQ. However, Singapore wants it to terminate in Jurong East and understandably so," he said. "Just as we want to develop Bandar Malaysia, they want to use the HSR to drive development in Jurong East.
"From our perspective, by terminating it at the CIQ, the entire project will be within our borders and we will have more control of it. This will be closer to Orchard Road than Jurong East," The Edge quoted him as saying. "But of course, we have to weigh Singapore's economic and commercial considerations as well to come to an agreement."
However, SPAD said that he was "regretably misquoted", and instead said: "We would have preferred to terminate the line at the CBD area. This will be closer to Orchard Road than Jurong East. However this is a joint project for the benefit of both countries and hence there has to be give and take. For example, if we had wanted to terminate (sic) at the CIQ, the entire project will be within our borders and we will have more control. But this would not have been optimal and neither country would have benefited as much."
Singapore's Ministry of Transport (MOT) had earlier released a statement stating it was "surprised" at the initial comment that indicated preference for the HSR terminus to be at Johor Bahru's CIQ complex.
In May, leaders of Singapore and Malaysia announced that the HSR terminus in Singapore will be located at Jurong East.
"Our understanding is that Malaysia views the commercial premise of the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore HSR project, and with which we agree, as being based on a direct connection between the two city centres. Terminating the HSR in Johor Bahru will not achieve this objective," said MOT's spokesperson.
HSR OPERATING MODEL IN DISCUSSION
MOT said both Singapore and Malaysia are in discussion on the HSR's commercial and operating models. Singapore has proposed that the domestic transit HSR services, which stop at six stations in Malaysia, be operated separately from express non-stop services between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
"This will give Malaysia autonomy over the domestic transit services to serve Malaysia's domestic needs and benefit Malaysia," said the transport ministry.
Mr Nur Ismal had told The Edge: "Because the additional stations will benefit Malaysia more, Singapore is not so keen on the transit line. However, just as we must take its economic and commercial considerations into account, it must also take care of us. There has to be give and take so that both parties can benefit."
He added that the cost of the six stations is "very small", less than 10 per cent of the entire HSR project.
NO AGREEMENT ON HIGH BRIDGE ACROSS SINGAPORE, JB: MOT
As for the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link, MOT said Malaysia has not confirmed its terminus location. Singapore's terminus will be located at Woodlands North station on the upcoming Thomson-East Coast MRT line.
MOT added that both countries will only be able to determine the type and alignment of the crossing after both terminus locations are confirmed.
"We have yet to receive official confirmation of the location of Malaysia’s RTS terminus in Johor Bahru. As such, contrary to what was said in the Malaysian media by Johor State Exco for Public Works, Rural and Regional Development Committee Chairman Datuk Ir. Haji Hasni bin Haji Mohammad, there is no agreement with Malaysia that the crossing will be a high bridge," said MOT.
Note: This story was updated at 9.30pm on Jun 19 following a statement to the media from SPAD
- CNA/xq
End of Article
