Malaysia and Singapore have agreed to defer the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) project yet again until the end 2020.

Both countries said on Sunday, May 31 they have reached an agreement on the delay.

The construction of the 350km-long HSR project was due to resume at the end of May since it was suspended since September 2018.

Singapore Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said on May 29 that Singapore was considering Malaysia’s request to extend the suspension period of the project.

Subsequently, in a Facebook post on Sunday, Khaw wrote that Malaysia had requested a seven-month extension to allow both sides to discuss and assess Malaysia’s proposed changes to the project.

"This should provide sufficient time for Malaysia to clarify its proposal and for both sides to assess the implications of the proposed changes."

Mutually beneficial project

The Ministry of Transport said in a separate statement that Singapore continues to believe that the HSR project is a mutually beneficial project.

"We look forward to receiving Malaysia’s formal proposal on the changes to the HSR project soon, so that both sides can begin discussion immediately," MOT said.

Malaysian Senior Minister Azmin Ali said in a media release on Sunday that the governments of both countries agreed to resume discussions on the HSR "in the near future".

Azmin, who is also Malaysia's Minister of International Trade and Industry, said that the discussions will encompass some of the proposed changes in the commercial and technical aspects of the project.

Already delayed start date by 4 years

In September 2018, Singapore and Malaysia agreed to postpone the construction of the HSR until end-May 2020.

Malaysia had to pay Singapore S$15 million for costs incurred in suspending the project.

The suspension pushed back commencement date by four years as both countries announced that the HSR service would be expected to start by Jan. 1, 2031.

The original commencement date was set at Dec. 31, 2026.

The proposed HSR line can cut travel time between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur from 11 hours by existing train services to around 90 minutes by high-speed train.

The line will offer three services when operational: An express service between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, a domestic service from Kuala Lumpur to Iskandar Puteri, and a shuttle service from Iskandar Puteri to Jurong East.