SINGAPORE -- Singapore and Malaysia terminated a multibillion dollar high-speed rail project after the two countries failed to reach agreement after Kuala Lumpur sought changes because of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The train line would have connected the 350 km stretch between the two capitals in just 90 minutes. The on-off project, first given the green light in 2013 under the leadership of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, was intended to boost cross-border business and development of areas along the track. Railway-related manufacturers and operators from Japan, China and Europe expressed interest in the project.