Singapore open to proposals on bullet train between KL and S'pore
By Farah Abdul Rahim, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 16 January 2007 1648 hrs

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SINGAPORE: Singapore has said it is open to proposals on a US$2.3b plan to build a bullet train rail link between Singapore and the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur as long as both countries benefit.

Transport Minister Raymond Lim was responding to questions from reporters earlier on Tuesday, at the Annual Airport Reception.

His Malaysian counterpart, Chan Kong Choy, had backed the high-speed rail project by YTL Corp on Monday, which will enable the 350-kilometre journey between KL and Singapore to be cut to just 90 minutes, compared to the seven- hour journey on the current rail service.

However, Singapore has yet to hear from YTL or the Malaysian government on this so far.

"We are open to all proposals that may benefit both countries (Singapore and Malaysia). I look forward to receiving their proposal so that we can study it and see how best to proceed," said Raymond Lim, Singapore Transport Minister.

On liberalising air services between the two countries, Mr Lim added that Singapore's Transport Ministry is now in contact with their counterparts in Malaysia to finalise the date for bilateral talks on the issue.

The talks are scheduled to take place in the first quarter of this year. - CNA/dt