PUTRAJAYA, July 19 ― Malaysia and Singapore today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) project, signifying both countries' commitment towards this iconic project.

The MoU was signed by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan and Singapore's Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan, witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

The HSR project, targeted for commercial operations in 2026, will have eight stations namely Bandar Malaysia, Putrajaya, Seremban, Ayer Keroh, Muar, Batu Pahat, Iskandar Puteri and Singapore.

The 350km rail would reduce travel time between the two countries to just 90 minutes, with speeds of over 300km/hour. 

Both governments will call for open international tenders in August 2016 to appoint a joint development partner.

The MoU reflects the outcome of extensive discussions between the Ministry of Transport and the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), and the Ministry of Transport and Land Transport Authority of Singapore, since the project was first announced by the Prime Ministers of both countries in February 2013.

The MoU captures the key points of agreement on the project, which include the technical parametres, commercial model, customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) clearance, safety & security matters, regulatory framework, as well as project management. — Bernama