High-speed rail link to Beijing a possibility, says Idris

KUALA LUMPUR: Ever thought of the prospects of a high-speed rail link from Singapore, through Malaysia, and right up to Beijing?

It may be possible, says Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala, even though it may take between 50 years and a century to materialise.

He said on the drawing board is the immediate need linking Malaysia and Singapore by 2020, which could lead to 90-minute express travel.

Speaking at Standard & Poor's Asean capital market seminar yesterday, he likened it to the link between London and Paris.

Idris Jala, who is also CEO of Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu), also described 2013 as a better year for the capital market, which has expanded from RM1.12 trillion in 2010 to RM1.46 trillion in January.

Private investments, he added, have tripled since the Economic Transformation Programme started in 2010.

With increased investments, this has led to a 49 per cent increase in gross national income, rising trade and more jobs in the market, Idris said.