Malaysia's Anwar meets Xi, likely to seek China help for rail link

[beijingwalker]

Malaysia's Anwar meets Xi, likely to seek China help for rail link​

Despite pro-Western image, PM wants close Beijing ties to boost economy

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, left, is meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on March 31. (Photo courtesy of Prime Minister's Office of Malaysia)
NORMAN GOH, Nikkei staff writerMarch 31, 2023 18:34 JST

KUALA LUMPUR -- Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim met President Xi Jinping on Friday during his first trip to China as Malaysia's leader, as his delegation hopes to tie up several projects, likely including assistance for a high-speed railway linking Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Anwar arrived in Beijing on Wednesday, with a delegation of ministers from the foreign, trade, transport, technology, housing and tourism departments. A meeting with his counterpart Premier Li Qiang is also set for Saturday, after which both are expected to sign as many as 16 memoranda of understanding related to agriculture and trade. He is expected to return to Kuala Lumpur the following Saturday.

During the trip, Anwar is likely to seek assistance from Beijing for resuming one of the Malaysian portions of the Singapore-Kunming Rail Link (SKRL), also known as the Pan-Asia Railway Network, spanning 6,617.5 kilometers through countries including Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. It is a part of China's Belt and Road Initiative.

Mahathir in 2018 decided to scrap the high-speed rail link, the southern half of Malaysia's portion of the SKRL, stretching 350 kilometers between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, saying it would add too much to the country's debt. But his government kept active the 688-kilometer East Coast Rail Link, the northern half of Malaysia's portion.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke told reporters on March 15, "Building this network [of the SKRL] is possible, and I call upon the Chinese government to help facilitate these exchanges [with Thailand and Laos]." He also said earlier this month, "We can talk about [the high-speed railway] and we can be open to proposals from the private sector," indicating the possibility of restarting the high-speed railway link. Several proposals have reportedly been submitted since then.

State-owned rail operator Keretapi Tanah Melayu recently launched the first Malaysia-China rail-sea service in collaboration with Cosco Shipping Lines, a China-based shipping company headquartered in Shanghai.
Since 2009, China has been Malaysia's largest trading partner. Trade between the two rose 15.6% to 487.13 billion ringgit ($110.62 billion) in 2022 from a year ago.

Ngeow Chow Bing, director of the Institute of China Studies at the University of Malaya, said that despite his pro-Western image, Anwar will seek a diplomatic stance equally friendly to both sides, particularly as China is the world's second-largest economy.

"There is no question that he wants to strengthen the relationship with China, looking at more opportunities rather than risks and challenges," he said, adding that Malaysia is part of the global supply chain and particularly in the semiconductor and technological sectors, making the country "a vital partner to China."

Ngeow also noted that economic development tops Anwar's agenda in the bilateral meetings as he is hoping that Chinese investment will help to boost the Malaysian economy and create jobs.

Although the South China Sea remains a topic of contention between ASEAN countries and China, it has not stopped Beijing from seeking closer ties with the region.

Malaysia's Anwar meets Xi, likely to seek China help for rail link

Despite pro-Western image, PM wants close Beijing ties to boost economy

asia.nikkei.com

 

[FuturePAF]

China wants a rail link between Singapore and China.

This prime minister sees an opportunity, and is probably negotiating the terms to his nation’s favor while the China is willing to finance it. It probably also doesn’t hurt the PM’s image to be seen making this deal, as long as he negotiates it well.

Laos’ HSR is built and Thailand is the other country that is needed to complete the link.

Btw, is freight intended to be carried on this link, or is it solely for passenger rail?

 

[etylo]

Does Malaysia has money for these projects ? It cancelled the HSR few years ago.

 

[Indos]

China wants a rail link between Singapore and China.

This prime minister sees an opportunity, and is probably negotiating the terms to his nation’s favor while the China is willing to finance it. It probably also doesn’t hurt the PM’s image to be seen making this deal, as long as he negotiates it well.

Laos’ HSR is built and Thailand is the other country that is needed to complete the link.

Btw, is freight intended to be carried on this link, or is it solely for passenger rail?

Primarily for Passenger between Malaysia and Singapore. China has huge USD reserve in US state obligation. Seeing what happen with Russia assets stored in Western country financial system, China I believe feel not save with his money on US hand, China would likely convert it into many investment options like buying more Gold and investment in foreign countries that have good relation with the country and have strong economy thus it makes their money pretty save and will get good return as well (compared to buying US state bond), more over the investment is likely given with condition that Chinese companies will involve on the project, thus improve China service and merchandise export to that country as other economic benefit for China.

 

[FuturePAF]

Primarily for Passenger between Malaysia and Singapore. China has huge USD reserve in US state obligation. Seeing what happen with Russia assets stored in Western country financial system, China I believe feel not save with his money on US hand, China would likely convert it into many investment options like buying more Gold and investment in foreign countries that have good relation with the country and have strong economy thus it makes their money pretty save and will get good return as well (compared to buying US state bond), more over the investment is likely given with condition that Chinese companies will involve on the project, thus improve China service and merchandise export to that country as other economic benefit for China.

Would love to see if a Malaysia-Indonesia Rail tunnel could be built. Indonesia is a growing economy, so rail links to mainland Asia could speed up economic opportunities.

 

[Indos]

Would love to see if a Malaysia-Indonesia Rail tunnel could be built. Indonesia is a growing economy, so rail links to mainland Asia could speed up economic opportunities.

From Indonesia perspective, our first priority is to improve connection within our territory and this aim still needs long time and huge investment. Not to forget that many big cities in Indonesia still dont have transportation system like Jakarta, even in whole Sulawesi island we just establish first rail way route several days ago.

Java island also needs more railway route. Medium speed train from Jakarta into Surabaya for example is one of the priority and has been included in our medium term planning. Rail way connection between Sumatra island with Malaysia Peninsula is not yet inside our medium planning.

 

[Song Hong]

Does Malaysia has money for these projects ? It cancelled the HSR few years ago.

Infrastructure connecting major population center, within and without can fund itself, making scandalous amount of profit for government, while government pretend it loss lots of monies.

Every policies makers knew that while Mahathir pretend he dono.

Just give all the no man low value land along the HSR to China in exchange for HSR. Soon Malaysia and China will make lots of monies.

 

[etylo]

Infrastructure connecting major population center, within and without can fund itself, making scandalous amount of profit for government, while government pretend it loss lots of monies.

Every policies makers knew that while Mahathir pretend he dono.

Just give all the no man low value land along the HSR to China in exchange for HSR. Soon Malaysia and China will make lots of monies.

I doubt Malaysia will ever give land rights to China, I dont know why would China want the useless empty no-man lands of Malaysia, China is not planning to invade or occupy Malaysia. China wants hold on many commercial ports in the world only becos lots of Chinese products, trade and shipping go through these ports and countries, China wants control of these shipping operations. Naturally, if there are enough population along the HSR route, the operation should make profit, I think Malaysia is densely populated for HSR.

 

[Mista]

I doubt Malaysia will ever give land rights to China. Naturally, if there are enough population along the HSR route, the operation should make profit, I think Malaysia is densely populated for HSR.

KL-SG is one of the busiest international air corridors in the world, and SG-Johor has one of the busiest land border crossings in the world. There will definitely be robust demand for the HSR if built.

 

[mike2000 is back]

Malaysia's Anwar meets Xi, likely to seek China help for rail link​

Despite pro-Western image, PM wants close Beijing ties to boost economy

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, left, is meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on March 31. (Photo courtesy of Prime Minister's Office of Malaysia)
NORMAN GOH, Nikkei staff writerMarch 31, 2023 18:34 JST

KUALA LUMPUR -- Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim met President Xi Jinping on Friday during his first trip to China as Malaysia's leader, as his delegation hopes to tie up several projects, likely including assistance for a high-speed railway linking Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Anwar arrived in Beijing on Wednesday, with a delegation of ministers from the foreign, trade, transport, technology, housing and tourism departments. A meeting with his counterpart Premier Li Qiang is also set for Saturday, after which both are expected to sign as many as 16 memoranda of understanding related to agriculture and trade. He is expected to return to Kuala Lumpur the following Saturday.

During the trip, Anwar is likely to seek assistance from Beijing for resuming one of the Malaysian portions of the Singapore-Kunming Rail Link (SKRL), also known as the Pan-Asia Railway Network, spanning 6,617.5 kilometers through countries including Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. It is a part of China's Belt and Road Initiative.

Mahathir in 2018 decided to scrap the high-speed rail link, the southern half of Malaysia's portion of the SKRL, stretching 350 kilometers between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, saying it would add too much to the country's debt. But his government kept active the 688-kilometer East Coast Rail Link, the northern half of Malaysia's portion.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke told reporters on March 15, "Building this network [of the SKRL] is possible, and I call upon the Chinese government to help facilitate these exchanges [with Thailand and Laos]." He also said earlier this month, "We can talk about [the high-speed railway] and we can be open to proposals from the private sector," indicating the possibility of restarting the high-speed railway link. Several proposals have reportedly been submitted since then.

State-owned rail operator Keretapi Tanah Melayu recently launched the first Malaysia-China rail-sea service in collaboration with Cosco Shipping Lines, a China-based shipping company headquartered in Shanghai.
Since 2009, China has been Malaysia's largest trading partner. Trade between the two rose 15.6% to 487.13 billion ringgit ($110.62 billion) in 2022 from a year ago.

Ngeow Chow Bing, director of the Institute of China Studies at the University of Malaya, said that despite his pro-Western image, Anwar will seek a diplomatic stance equally friendly to both sides, particularly as China is the world's second-largest economy.

"There is no question that he wants to strengthen the relationship with China, looking at more opportunities rather than risks and challenges," he said, adding that Malaysia is part of the global supply chain and particularly in the semiconductor and technological sectors, making the country "a vital partner to China."

Ngeow also noted that economic development tops Anwar's agenda in the bilateral meetings as he is hoping that Chinese investment will help to boost the Malaysian economy and create jobs.

Although the South China Sea remains a topic of contention between ASEAN countries and China, it has not stopped Beijing from seeking closer ties with the region.

Malaysia's Anwar meets Xi, likely to seek China help for rail link

Despite pro-Western image, PM wants close Beijing ties to boost economy

asia.nikkei.com

Seek help? That's investment. Lol

 

[AViet]

The EDT project, which will make Kuala Lumpur - Singapore current metre gauge railway fully electrified, double tracked with max speed of 160 km/h will be completed by early 2025, as announced some days ago. Construction has been delayed (should be completed by 2022) due to various reasons.

Therefore, I do not see one more parallel 350 km/h Kuala Lumpur - Singapore high speed railway just for passengers makes senses. A standard gauge, double tracked railways to connect with Thailand railways for future freight at 160 km.h is probably more practical.

 

[Song Hong]

Malaysia’s ex-PMs Mahathir, Muhyiddin sued over termination of high-speed rail project with S’pore

Plaintiff seeks to compel defendants to pay RM1 million in damages and compensation to every Malaysian citizen. Read more at straitstimes.com.

www.straitstimes.com

 

[OIO]

Seek help? That's investment. Lol

I think they need a debt trap.