“I don’t know where the RM120 billion figure is from,” Loke said.
He said Wee is entitled to his own opinion, but the future of the HSR project would be decided by the Cabinet. “There is interest from the private sector and they have given their proposals. We are evaluating the proposals, and the transport ministry is preparing a Cabinet paper,” Loke said.
The government has previously said it was open to reviving the multibillion-ringgit project linking Kuala Lumpur and Singapore if it could find private investors.
A decision is expected by the end of the fourth quarter.
Yesterday, Wee had cited media reports as saying the estimated cost of the project had ballooned from RM70 billion to RM120 billion, and that the increased cost made it impractical for the private sector to fund it without government support.
He also proposed that the project be aligned with the RM140 billion Bandar Malaysia project to maximise benefits and feasibility.
In March, the government was reported to have shortlisted three consortiums led by YTL Corp, Berjaya Land Bhd and China Railway Construction Corporation.
Malaysia and Singapore agreed on the high-speed rail project in 2016 but the agreement was terminated in 2021 after several changes in government and project delays.
The planned 350km line would have shortened travelling time from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore to 90 minutes, compared to the four-hour car journey at present.
Air grouses over MRT 3 alignment, Loke tells residents
Meanwhile, Loke said residents unhappy with the proposed MRT3 alignment can air their grievances through the relevant channels provided.
He said Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli had met him to discuss the concerns of Taman Kencana and Taman Bakti residents, who are worried that their homes would be demolished to make way for MRT3.
On Jan 7, 2023, FMT reported that Rafizi said he would meet with Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp), Prasarana Malaysia Bhd and the transport ministry to discuss the concerns of his constituents.
Rafizi had previously met residents from Taman Kencana and Taman Bakti to listen to their recommendations for MRT3 and promised to convey their concerns to the transport ministry.
Loke added that the MRT3 alignment had not yet been finalised.
The ministry is currently collecting feedback from the public through the MRT3 public inspection programme, he added.
“It’s not yet finalised in terms of land acquisition and the homes that will be affected. Anyone who has issues with it can raise it with the authorities,” Loke added.
This public inspection programme runs from Sept 2 to Dec 2 this year. Details on the project can be found on the MRT website.