TRANSPORT MINISTRY HOPES MALAYSIA-CHINA RAIL NETWORK CAN BE REALISED IN SHORTEST PERIOD

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 (Bernama) -- The Transport Ministry hopes the development of the rail network connecting Malaysia and China can be realised in the shortest period.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said his ministry intends to speed up the development in an effort to benefit from regional relations.

He said that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had in a meeting with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Monday discussed the importance of building rail infrastructure.

"If you look at the joint statement of Malaysia and Thailand yesterday, there is a reference to efforts to further improve the connection of the rail and road networks.

"Of course, we want to build a better relationship with Thailand, especially in the aspect of rail network. If connectivity with Thailand can be strengthened, and Thailand in turn connects with Laos and then China, it will definitely help realise the Pan Asian rail network," he said after officiating at the Malaysia-China Summit 2024 (MCS 2024) here Tuesday. 

Also present were Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry secretary general  Hairil Yahri Yaacob; Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing; Malaysian Foreign Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) chairman  Reezal Merican Naina Merica and MATRADE chief executive officer Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz.

Anwar and his Thai counterpart on Monday ordered relevant agencies to speed up progress on the proposed twin rail network between Ipoh-Padang Besar and Padang Besar-Hat Yai as well as the alignment of high-speed trains in the two countries.

It is in line with the mutual aspiration of promoting closer ties and increasing the cross-border flow of goods and passengers between Malaysia and Thailand, and throughout the region.

The two leaders also emphasised the importance of speeding up the negotiation of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) regarding cross-border transport to facilitate the movement of goods and passengers.

Meanwhile, Loke said the Pan Asian rail network actually already exists, including the ASEAN Express, a cargo train between Malaysia and China. However, it has not been widely developed due to several challenges, including customs and clearance issues.

."One of the main challenges is the process of releasing goods which was also discussed with Thailand. We hope to simplify this process and make it more efficient to speed up the transit of goods," he said.

According to him, the move is part of the government's efforts to increase ASEAN trade through the optimisation of the rail network.

"Connectivity is the main factor. Without an efficient transport system, trade cannot flow smoothly. Therefore, the Transport Ministry always supports efforts to increase trade because we are the main facilitator.

"Currently, most trade is carried out via maritime routes. However, we hope that more goods can be transported by rail, in line with Malaysia's agenda to drive ASEAN connectivity," he said.

He also emphasised the government's efforts to develop rail projects such as the East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) and the double tracking project aimed at reducing road congestion and encouraging the use of trains as the main mode of transport.

"Once the ECRL is ready, we will implement initiatives to ensure that this rail infrastructure is fully utilised," he said.

-- BERNAMA