The KL-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) was agreed bilaterally in December 2016 but the agreement lapsed and was terminated on 31 December 2020, after which Malaysia paid Singapore SGD102,815,576 in compensation. Malaysia revived the idea in July 2023 with a Request for Information, received seven concept proposals, shortlisted three consortia, and is now finalising parameters for a fully private-sector-led project before issuing a Request for Proposal. It is a separate project from the JB-Singapore RTS Link.
- The 2016 bilateral agreement was terminated on 31 December 2020.
- Malaysia paid Singapore SGD102,815,576 (RM320,270,519) in full and final settlement, announced 29 March 2021.
- MyHSR Corp relaunched the project via a Request for Information in July 2023 and received seven concept proposals.
- The revived project is to be led by the private sector with no direct government funding, and has not yet reached the Request for Proposal stage.
Who this applies to: Travellers, property watchers, investors and anyone tracking Malaysia-Singapore rail connectivity.
On this page
A bullet train that could whisk you from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore in about 90 minutes has been signed, suspended, terminated, mourned, and resurrected — all without a single track being laid. Here is where the on-again, off-again project actually stands.
What was originally agreed?
Malaysia and Singapore signed a binding bilateral agreement for the High-Speed Rail (HSR) in December 2016. The plan was a roughly 350 km line running from Bandar Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur to Jurong East in Singapore, cutting a four-hour road trip to about 90 minutes, with seven stations in Malaysia plus the terminus at Jurong East in Singapore (eight along the full corridor).
Then it stalled. Malaysia sought changes, the deadline to agree on them passed, and the two governments could not reconcile their positions.
When and how did it fall apart?
The bilateral agreement was terminated on 31 December 2020. Because Malaysia had triggered the termination, it owed Singapore compensation under the agreement.
On 29 March 2021, the two governments jointly announced the settlement: Malaysia paid Singapore SGD102,815,576 (about RM320,270,519) to reimburse Singapore for costs incurred developing the project. The joint statement described this as a “full and final settlement” of the termination.
How is it being revived?
Malaysia decided to try again — but on very different terms. In July 2023, MyHSR Corporation launched a Request for Information (RFI), inviting local and international firms to propose how they would design, build, finance and operate the line as a private-sector undertaking rather than a government-funded megaproject.
The RFI drew seven concept proposals. From these, three consortia were widely reported to be shortlisted:
| Consortium | Lead |
|---|---|
| MRCB-IJM-BRail-KTMB (Malaysian Resources Corp, IJM Construction, Berjaya Rail, KTMB) | MRCB |
| YTL Construction-SIPP Rail | YTL Construction |
| Chinese state group | China Railway Construction |
Where does it stand now?
The evaluation of the RFI proposals was taken to the Malaysian Cabinet in early 2025. The government has since said it is finalising the “key parameters” of the project before moving to the next stage — the Request for Proposal (RFP).
Crucially, the Transport Ministry has been clear that the revived HSR is to proceed only through private-sector-led investment, without direct government funding. As of 2025 no RFP had been issued, no financing model finalised, and no construction timeline announced.
Is this the same as the RTS Link?
No — and this is the most common mix-up. The Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link is a short cross-border shuttle between JB and Woodlands, on track to open in 2026. The HSR is a separate, far larger high-speed line between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore that is still years from a construction decision.
What’s next
Watch for the government to publish the finalised project parameters and formally issue the RFP — that will be the first concrete signal that the revived HSR is moving from concept to procurement. Until an RFP is awarded and a financing model is locked in, the line remains a proposal rather than a project. For the near-term Malaysia-Singapore rail link that is actually being built, follow the RTS Link instead.
Is the KL-Singapore HSR being built now?
No. As of 2025 the project is still in the pre-tender stage. Malaysia is finalising key parameters for a private-sector-led model before issuing a Request for Proposal; no construction has started and no completion date has been set.
How much did Malaysia pay Singapore for terminating the HSR?
Malaysia paid SGD102,815,576 (about RM320,270,519), announced on 29 March 2021, as full and final settlement to reimburse Singapore for costs incurred developing the project.
Is the HSR the same as the JB-Singapore RTS Link?
No. The RTS Link is a short cross-border shuttle between Johor Bahru and Woodlands, targeted to open in 2026. The HSR is a separate ~350 km high-speed line planned between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
The following are deliberately unstated or described only qualitatively until confirmed by a subject-matter expert:
- Consortium shortlist (three groups, members and leads) is press-reported by The Edge, not officially confirmed by MyHSR Corp; confirm before treating as final.
- Current status (Cabinet review, private-sector-led model, no RFP yet) reflects statements up to Feb 2025; check for any newer government announcement.
- The seven Malaysian station locations come from press reporting; confirm against MyHSR Corp's official project overview.
Sources
- Joint Statement on the Settlement of Compensation for the Kuala Lumpur - Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) Project — Ministry of Transport, Singapore
- MyHSR Corp seeks concept proposals to revive KL-Singapore HSR — The Edge Malaysia
- Three consortia believed to be on shortlist for KL-Singapore HSR project — The Edge Malaysia
- Government finalising key parameters for HSR project — The Star
- Malaysia yet to decide on development model for KL-Singapore High-Speed Rail — The Edge Malaysia
- New proposals for Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail requested from local, international firms — paultan.org
Change history
| Version | Date | Change | By |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01.00 | 8 Aug 2026 | Approved and published. | — |