By Sharen Kaur
KUALA LUMPUR: MMC Corp Bhd and its Japanese partners are finalising details to form a consortium to bid for Malaysia's first high-speed rail (HSR) system, which will link Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
Business Times understands that MMC is working with East Japan Railway Co (JR East) and Sumitomo Corp to bid for the HSR project, which is estimated to cost RM40 billion.
The amount includes RM10 billion to buy high-speed bullet trains.
It is learnt that MMC, JR East and Sumitomo have inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to work together on the rail job.
JR East executive director for Singapore office, Yutaka Nomoto, said: "We had proposed our idea for the HSR project to the Malaysian government in 2013 and presented it to the Land Public Transport Commission. MMC will undertake the civil works while Sumitomo will be the project coordinator.
"JR East will contribute in terms of operations and maintenance. We are working with Sumitomo, Hitachi Ltd and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd for the systems portion."
Yutaka was speaking on the sidelines of a railway conference here, last month.
He said JR East would also provide the rolling stocks for the HSR development as well as training for Malaysians on operating a highspeed rail system.
"We are coming into Malaysia for the first time. This is one of the biggest railway developments and it is feasible. We will bring in expertise from Japan." The HSR project is among the key issues Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong will be discussing at a two-day leaders' retreat this week.
Other issues are easing congestion at checkpoints and Malaysia's proposal for a new bridge.
The proposed HSR link is targeted for completion in 2020 and will reduce the 350km journey over land to 90 minutes from about five hours.
The proposed rail stops are Bandar Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Seremban (Negri Sembilan), Ayer Keroh (Malacca), and Muar, Batu Pahat and Nusajaya (Johor), while in Singapore, it may be in Tuas West, Jurong East or the city centre.
Business Times had reported that more than five groups were vying for the HSR project, including the YTL Corp Bhd and China Infraglobe-Global Rail Sdn Bhd consortium.
Government investment arm Khazanah Nasional Bhd is also interested in the project and its involvement could be via UEM Group Bhd, in which it holds a substantial stake.
New alignments have been proposed by several parties, which will include land acquisition and relocation of squatters.
KUALA LUMPUR: MMC Corp Bhd and its Japanese partners are finalising details to form a consortium to bid for Malaysia's first high-speed rail (HSR) system, which will link Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
Business Times understands that MMC is working with East Japan Railway Co (JR East) and Sumitomo Corp to bid for the HSR project, which is estimated to cost RM40 billion.
The amount includes RM10 billion to buy high-speed bullet trains.
It is learnt that MMC, JR East and Sumitomo have inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to work together on the rail job.
JR East executive director for Singapore office, Yutaka Nomoto, said: "We had proposed our idea for the HSR project to the Malaysian government in 2013 and presented it to the Land Public Transport Commission. MMC will undertake the civil works while Sumitomo will be the project coordinator.
"JR East will contribute in terms of operations and maintenance. We are working with Sumitomo, Hitachi Ltd and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd for the systems portion."
Yutaka was speaking on the sidelines of a railway conference here, last month.
He said JR East would also provide the rolling stocks for the HSR development as well as training for Malaysians on operating a highspeed rail system.
"We are coming into Malaysia for the first time. This is one of the biggest railway developments and it is feasible. We will bring in expertise from Japan." The HSR project is among the key issues Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong will be discussing at a two-day leaders' retreat this week.
Other issues are easing congestion at checkpoints and Malaysia's proposal for a new bridge.
The proposed HSR link is targeted for completion in 2020 and will reduce the 350km journey over land to 90 minutes from about five hours.
The proposed rail stops are Bandar Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Seremban (Negri Sembilan), Ayer Keroh (Malacca), and Muar, Batu Pahat and Nusajaya (Johor), while in Singapore, it may be in Tuas West, Jurong East or the city centre.
Business Times had reported that more than five groups were vying for the HSR project, including the YTL Corp Bhd and China Infraglobe-Global Rail Sdn Bhd consortium.
Government investment arm Khazanah Nasional Bhd is also interested in the project and its involvement could be via UEM Group Bhd, in which it holds a substantial stake.
New alignments have been proposed by several parties, which will include land acquisition and relocation of squatters.
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