00:00A transport expert and an economist have questioned a proposal to use profits derived
00:07from the Bandar Malaysia project to finance the construction of a high-speed rail link
00:13between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
00:16Transport consultant Rosli Khan called the business plan unsustainable, saying it may
00:21be premised on an overestimation of the profitability of both projects.
00:26He said economic uncertainties such as inflation, supply chain disruptions, and fluctuating
00:32market conditions could lead to cost overruns for both the Bandar Malaysia and the HSR projects,
00:39making it difficult to generate the expected returns.
00:43Rosli also pointed to a shift in transportation patterns following the COVID-19 pandemic,
00:49pointing in particular to a rise in remote work and reduced business travel, which could
00:55affect the financial viability of the HSR project.
00:58Meanwhile, economist Geoffrey Williams warned that the government could be forced to undertake
01:04yet another bailout if either project fails to meet its financial or development goals.
01:10He said this would take resources from essential public priorities in health, education and
01:15social protection.
01:17Last week, former Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong proposed aligning the HSR project with
01:23the RM140 billion Bandar Malaysia development, suggesting that with proper execution, the
01:29profits from Bandar Malaysia could cover all or a significant portion of building the HSR.
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