KUALA LUMPUR, June 1 — The Singapore government said today it will exercise its rights to seek compensation for expenses incurred if the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) project is cancelled.
Singapore’s Transport Minister and coordinating Infrastructure Minister, Khaw Boon Wan, said Singapore has requested the Malaysian government through diplomatic channels to clarify Malaysia’s formal position on the HSR project.
“Singapore is continuing to incur costs on the project as it awaits Malaysia’s clarification.
“In the event Malaysia terminates the HSR project, we will study the implications and exercise our rights to compensation for expenses incurred in accordance with the terms of the HSR Bilateral Agreement,” he said in a statement today.
He said Singapore would continue to support the HSR project and fulfil its obligations under the agreement but would only continue the project if the Malaysian government was willing to do so.
On Monday, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had in a press conference confirmed that Malaysia will drop the HSR project as it did not benefit the country.
Boon said Singapore agreed to the project when Malaysia proposed it back in 2013 as it was convinced of its benefits to the island nation in the long run.
