KUALA LUMPUR: Transport Minister Anthony Loke has refuted his claims that the cost of the proposed KL-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) could rise to RM120 billion.
This comes after his predecessor, Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong said recent reports indicated that the cost of the project has surged to RM120 billion from the RM70 billion it would have originally cost.
"I don't know where they (reports) got the RM120 billion figure," he was quoted as saying at an event today.
The 350km-long HSR project was agreed to by Malaysia and Singapore in December 2016, to reduce travel time between KL and Singapore to 90 minutes.
However, the project was scrapped in 2021 by the then-Pakatan Harapan government.
Putrajaya previously said it was open to reviving the project though it must not involve government funding.
Meanwhile, Loke said a decision on the project is expected by the end of the year.
"There has been interest from the private sector, and they have submitted their proposals.
"We are currently assessing these, and the Transport Ministry is preparing a Cabinet paper for review."
Yesterday, Wee suggested aligning the HSR project with the RM140 billion Bandar Malaysia development to maximise its potential benefits and financial viability.
On this, Loke said Wee was free to express his views though the Cabinet would make a final decision.
In March, The Edge reported that companies including YTL Corp, Berjaya Land Bhd, and China Railway Construction Corporation have been shortlisted for the project.