Kuala Lumpur, April 3 (IANS) Chinese companies are widely considered as front runner for the proposed high-speed railway project linking the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, the media reported on Sunday.
A series of recent investments by Chinese state-owned companies have helped to lay the ground for the bid for the 350-km high-speed railway, which could cost RM70 billion, The Star Online reported.
In March, China Railway Group Limited (CREC), one of China's largest state-owned companies, announced a $2 billion investment to build its regional headquarter in Bandar Malaysia, the proposed terminal for the Kuala Lumpur to Singapore line.
The announcement came three months after CREC's successful bid with its Malaysian joint-venture partner in December to acquire 60 percent equity in the Bandar Malaysia project.
One of the advantages of the Chinese side is the experience of working with Malaysia on the latter's regular railway system and light rail transit projects, according to The Star.
Chinese companies have supplied about 75 to 80 percent of the locomotives and coaches and related equipment to Malaysia.
China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) has built a manufacturing centre for Southeast Asia in Malaysia.
Despite being a latecomer in high-speed railway, China has developed the most cost-effective rail system in the world, thanks to China's research and development on major train projects and super lengthy tracks, said Goh Bok Yen, a well-known transportation planning consultant.
However, Goh said that it was far from a done deal as the project remains in an early stage.
The governments of Malaysia and Singapore are expected to finalise the commercial model and procurement approach of the project by this year.
โผบัญชีรายชื่อสถานีระหว่าง Bandar Malaya [ปลายรางฝั่ง กัวลาลัมเปอร์] และ Jurong East [ปลายรางฝั่งสิงคโปร์]
1. Nusajaya - in between Pinewood Iskandar near to Medini, Poresia Golf and Country Club and Pendas.
2. Batu Pahat - Sri Gading. Large scale of township development ongoing by Genting. Should be close to the Aeon Jusco site.
3. Muar - As per photo attached, Pagoh by Sime Darby. (Muarian need to travel long to get to the station)
4. Melaka - Ayer Keroh Lebuh Spa in between Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) and Melaka Airport.
5. Seremban - (i) if there is interchange station with KTM (TOD), should be around Labu. (ii) if there is no interchange considered, between S2 and Sendayan. (Bandar Ainsdale and Tiroi KTM station having rough terrain).
- LATE 1990s: The high-speed rail (HSR) project is proposed by several Malaysian companies. - EARLY 2000: Proposals are submitted by the private sector, including YTL Corp Bhd, but the project never took off.
- 2006: YTL Corp revives the proposal. However, it is not approved as the value proposition is not a priority.
- 2009: The China Infraglobe-Global Rail consortium submits its proposal.
- SEPTEMBER 2010: The Economic Transformation Programme highlights the HSR as a high-impact project to improve the economic dynamism of Kuala Lumpur as well as livability rankings relative to other global cities.
- EARLY 2011: The Public Land Transport Commission (SPAD) is tasked by the government to lead the study on the HSR project.
- MID-2011: SPAD starts pre-feasibility study (Phase 1A) on the HSR project. The study looks at the possibilities in terms of macro-economic factors, the size of the investment and economic spillover effects. The result is favourable.
- EARLY 2012: SPAD commences a more rigorous feasibility study (Phase 1B), which looks at the project from the macro perspective. The study takes about 12 months. SPAD analyses critical aspects such as the anticipated cost, the economics of running the HSR and operating wages, the economic benefits it will bring in terms of employment during construction and employment after construction, the economic activities that can be generated around the proposed stops in Seremban, Ayer Keroh, Muar, Batu Pahat and Iskandar Puteri, and whether the HSR will change the way business is done not only in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore but also at each stop. The findings show that the economic internal rate of return (EIRR) is very positive. EIRR looks at the impact on the economy in terms of job creation and boost in property values and economic activities.
- FEBRUARY 2013: The prime ministers of Malaysia and Singapore agree to go ahead with the project. Negotiations begin between both countries to find common grounds on the project.
- JUNE 2013: SPAD presents results of the Phase 1B feasibility study to the National Economic Advisory Council.
- APRIL 2015: MyHSR Corp Sdn Bhd is set up to oversee the HSR project.
- OCTOBER 2015: SPAD conducts Request for Information exercise.
- April 2016: MyHSR Corp conducts Request for Proposal for technical advisory services.
- JUNE 2016: Expected signing of memorandum of understanding.
- NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016: Expected signing of bilateral agreement.
- EARLY 2017: Procurement process to start.
- 2018/2019: Construction to commence.
- 2027: Commercial operation of the HSR.
http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/04/141328/high-speed-rail-project-timeline http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/04/141321/hsr-may-begin-ops-2027
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum