High-speed Train To Kualalumpur

19 Feb 2013

A high-speed train to cut the travel time betwen Singapore and Kualalumpur by 90 minutes has been planned by Malaysia and the city state. Singapore and Malaysia moved to strengthen growing economic ties and said they would look to ways to intensify cooperation in developing the Iskandar Malaysia economic zone that's across a narrow strip of water from Singapore.

The rail link announcement, after a meeting between the Prime Ministers of the two nations, reflects improved relations in recent years. Singapore was once part of Malaysia, but they separated acrimoniously in 1965, clouding diplomatic and economic dealings for decades. The Singapore part was the centre of ethnic Chinese who were at that time restive. Later it became a British colony and competed with Hong Kong, another colony, and the rivalry continues between the two city states even today, although Singapore is a shade better than Hong Kong.

The high-speed train is being described as a strategic development that will dramatically improve the connectivity between Malaysia and Singapore."It will facilitate seamless travel between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, enhance business linkages and bring the people of Malaysia and Singapore closer together," the leaders said. "Ultimately, this project will give both countries greater stake in each other's prosperity and success," it added.