M'sia considers separate entity to oversee high-speed rail towns
Land Public Transport Commission working on a draft, says chief exec
PUBLISHED JULY 29, 2014
[KUALA LUMPUR] The Malaysian government is considering setting up a separate entity to oversee the development of areas located along the proposed high-speed rail (HSR) project between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
Land Public Transport Commission (Spad) chief executive Mohamad Nur Ismal Kamal said that the entity could be a special authority which will look at the socio-economic aspect of the towns.
"The development of these towns located along potential stops or stations of the HSR would be leveraging on the existing economic environment there but we will push it up the value chain slanting more towards high-end industries," he said.
He said Spad was still working on the draft, but there could be a standalone authority to focus on this development as "it's very important to have everything in concert and coordinated, once the ball starts rolling."
"This is because the HSR project is expected to be a game-changer for the creation of two mega cities and high value socio-economic clusters in between," Mr Mohamad Nur told The Star.
At this point in time, Spad shared that Greater KL would be the focus of business and financial services, Seremban would be home to small and medium size enterprises of technology-based industries, Malacca would be a centre for tourism and health tourism, Muar is dedicated for consumer goods and industrial design, Batu Pahat would be developed into a textile design and manufacturing centre while Nusajaya would continue to grow its education industries.
While most of these stops in Malaysia do not have high population density, Mr Mohamad Nur believed the project would boost the profile of the connecting areas, which, in turn, would attract new investments
The HSR is estimated to save up to 1½ hours of travelling time compared to boarding a flight with a capacity for 500 passengers in one sitting. The total estimated time for the 350-km journey from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore is 1½ hours.
It will provide two types of services - the first being an express service between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, while the other is a transit service that will stop at all five proposed stations.
The HSR project would cost around RM40b (S$15.6 billion), according to previous news report. The HSR project, according to Mr Mohamad Nur, would be a catalyst of transport high-value workers and customers, but it would need an active planning and clear policies coordinated with the development of the HSR.
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/pre...entity-oversee-high-speed-rail-towns-20140729