A Shinkansen bullet train makes its way across metropolitan Japan. AFP File Photo
PUTRAJAYA: Japan has offered its Shinkansen bullet train technology to bid for the proposed 350-kilometre high-speed rail (HSR) project linking Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, said Minister in Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan today.
He disclosed that Japan’s Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister, Keiichi Ishii, had made the proposal during his courtesy call to him here today and provided a thorough briefing on the technology and a detailed cost of the bidding tender.
Abdul Rahman said Japanese public and private sectors were keen to pitch for the project, estimated to cost between RM60 billion and RM65 billion, which indicated the high confidence level of the Japanese government towards Malaysia’s economy and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s leadership.
“This is the first time the Japanese government has presented a thorough briefing and they were open about the detailed cost and technology system’s high level of safety in the bidding tender, which will take place in mid-2018. We know Japan’s high-speed rail is among the best in the world and it has huge reputation for efficiency in the technology,” he said.
Abdul Rahman said Japan was keen to export their Shinkansen system outside Japan, and they are currently building a HSR project in India.
“They (the Japanese) see this project linking Kuala Lumpur-Singapore as a prominent project and they are really excited to bid and win the tender,” Abdul Rahman told reporters after meeting the delegation comprising 30 representatives led by Ishii at his office here.
The proposed double-track HSR line will cut travelling time between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to 90 minutes, compared with more than four hours by car. Its two terminuses will be in the new township of Bandar Malaysia at the edge of Kuala Lumpur, and in Jurong East in Singapore. It is expected to be completed in 2026.
The train will have several stops, including in Seremban, Ayer Keroh, Muar, Batu Pahat and Iskandar Puteri (formerly known as Nusajaya), before heading towards Jurong East via Tuas.
Besides Japan, Abdul Rahman said China, South Korea, as well as a few companies from the United States and Europe were also eyeing to bid for the project.
Elaborating on the meeting, Abdul Rahman said: “The detailed cost presented to me looks interesting especially in the reduction of the construction cost. However, when the tender process is being evaluated, we have to balance the cost and technology. I truly believe the Japanese can put up a competitive bid. But we will still wait for others to bid.
“I also stressed that the Japanese tender should also include programmes such as technology transfer, human capital development and involving Malaysian companies for sub-contracts on civil and engineering works. It must be win-win situation for all.”
Asked if the efficient technology and cost reduction were among the criteria to bid for the tender, Abdul Rahman said it was an international and complex tender as it was bound by its norms.
“Since this is a collaboration project between Malaysia and Singapore, then both countries have their standards and priorities as well,” he said.
To another question, he said the HSR project is currently at the concept design stage, and the government would call for a tender by year-end to set up a privately-financed asset company (AssetsCo) for the HSR project. This will be the first tender given out for the HSR project.
AssetsCo will be responsible for the design, build, finance and maintenance of rolling stock, and to design, build, finance, operate and maintain rail assets such as track work, power, signalling and telecommunications. – Bernama