Thread by @jalilword

(1) The issue of HSR cancellation - the only annoying thing is the compensation we’ve had to pay. Otherwise not a great deal of loss, given the cost and priorities we should be spending money on given current circumstances

(2) The cost of the project was massive, which required the train fares to be priced on the high side, to make commercial sense. The thought that HSR will replace air travel between KUL-SIN is misplaced too. HSR wont be mass market travel but more towards a niche travellers

(3) Taking London-Paris Eurostar as example, it is efficient because of seamless border control at both sides (perhaps trickier now that UK is not EU). Passengers willing to pay the premium. As result London-Paris flight are barely mentioned as form of travel

(4) As long as SG & MY sort out a solution to ensure seamless travel & connectivity, HSR won’t work to the effect it was made it out to be. Taking total travel time of air travel vs HSR door-to-door it will be almost similar. So you’ll be competing on price, not convenience

(5) But over arching question is, in the midst of what we are undergoing economically, HSR is the least of financial burden we need right now. The money could be used for infrastructure that will benefit masses that will help in domestic economic activity

(6) Not disputing that there is massive benefits if we can get it right, construction, comemrcialisation, border control. But our track record in execution of large scale projects is subpar. Not the time to do another expensive experiment, until we get policies right