The High-Speed Rail (HSR) project between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore could be politicised in Malaysia, as campaign rhetoric heats up ahead of a widely anticipated election this year.

In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Times published on Jan 22, former Malaysia Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad -- now a key figure in the opposition -- has expressed doubts about the necessity and financial viability of the HSR project.

He said that the project might not go ahead if Malaysia's opposition comes to power. He added that while (current Malaysia Prime Minister) Najib Razak has been "friendly" towards Singapore, this is only because he is in a weak position politically and needs Singapore's help, through projects such as the HSR, to boost his standing in Malaysia.

"We need to do a study whether it is feasible or not because we don't have the money and we have to borrow money and that is not something the Malaysian government can bear at this moment. We have to know whether we really need this HSR or not"

The former premier who stepped down in 2003, turns 92 in July. He has been a vocal critic of Najib for his involvement in the multi-billion-dollar 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal and had left the ruling United Malays National Organisation (Umno)-led Barisan Nasional (BN) to set up a new party -- Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM, Malaysian United Indigenous Party), made up of rebel Umno members that also included Anwar Ibrahim.

This is not the first time that Mahathir has expressed reservations about the HSR project. In a series of blog interviews in April 2015, he lashed out at Najib for bowing to Singapore’s wishes on issues such as the HSR project and the “crooked bridge”, calling it an act of "kowtowing to Singapore".

However, a Malaysian website noted that Mahathir "was not completely negative towards the HSR", as he said that "the HSR could even be expanded to Penang or up to the Thai border" if feasible.

Support from opposition lawmakers

His latest position on the HSR appears to have garnered support among some opposition lawmakers, who are concerned with the transparency and economics of the project.

Malaysia and Singapore signed a legally binding agreement in December 2016 to build a 350km high-speed rail link between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Slated for completion in 2026, the HSR project, estimated to worth some $14 billion, is expected to cut travel time between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to 90 minutes, compared with four hours by car.

Of the entire 350km rail system, 15km will lie in Singapore and 335km in Malaysia. It will have eight stations between Singapore and Malaysia with the two terminal stations at Jurong East in Singapore and Bandar Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. The other six stations will be at Seremban, Ayer Keroh, Muar, Batu Pahat and Iskandar Puteri.

The China factor at play

Recently, Mahathir has stepped up his attacks on PM Najib on another front, accusing him of "selling out" to Chinese investors from China.

In the same Sunday Times interview, he sought to reassure Singapore that it should not worry about relations with Malaysia even if Najib -- widely credited as the Malaysian leader who has built the warmest ties with Singapore -- is ousted. Instead, he warned that recent tensions between China and Singapore could force Najib, who has solicited hundreds of billions in investments from China, to distance himself from his southern neighbour.

"If we have a lot of Chinese investment in Malaysia, they (China) will want to secure their investment and influence the Malaysian government to help them whatever way we can. They (China) will want to make sure that we do not side with Singapore in any dispute with China."

One can only guess if there's any truth to what Mahathir says, but it is clear that the political winds are getting stronger in Malaysia. As the favourite whipping boy of Malaysian politics, Singapore may need to brace ourselves for a rough ride for the rest of the year.

Top photo from Mahathir and China High Speed Rail Facebook page.

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