KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia wants to improve rail connectivity in the region and that was among the issues discussed during the recent two-day official visit of Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
According to Loke, better rail connectivity with Thailand will result in a better Pan-Asian railway network in the region.
‘We want to establish better relations with Thailand in terms of rail connectivity. So that eventually, Thailand can link up to Laos and Laos can link up to China,” said Loke to reporters after officiating the Malaysia-China Summit at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) on Tuesday (Dec 17).
Loke said presently, the Pan-Asian railway network is operating a cargo train between Malaysia to China.
“But it is not mainstream yet, because we have to overcome a lot of challenges,” added Loke.
Loke said that among those challenges was customs clearance procedures and this was discussed with the Thailand delegation led by Paetongtarn on Monday (Dec 16).
“We also discussed this with the Thai government on Monday (Dec 16), We hope to have more facilitation in terms of goods in transit so we can fasten the process.
“If we can clear customs faster, I’m sure it will help to boost trade among regions in Asean,” said Loke.
“Connectivity is the key factor here. Without transport connectivity, trade cannot flow,” added Loke.
That is why, Loke said the Transport Ministry is fully supportive of efforts to facilitate connectivity, as better transportation will drive trade in the region.
Presently, Loke said about 90% to 95% of trade is taking place via maritime or the sea.
“Most of our trade now is conducted via the sea. But we hope that we can increasingly transport our goods by rail.
“That is why one of Malaysia's key agendas is to drive Asean connectivity,” said Loke.
Loke said cross-border rail connectivity is still at an infant stage in Malaysia and Putrajaya is hoping for more Malaysians to rely on trains as a mode of transport.
“That is why we are building a lot of rail infrastructure, the East Coast Rail Link, double track and all that.
“So, in the years to come, we hope that we not only encourage the public to take the train as a mode of transport but change the mode of transport of goods to rail.
“That is why once the ECRL is completed, we will have a lot of initiatives and policies to ensure that the utilisation of ECRL will be maximised,” said Loke.
A joint statement by Paetongtarn and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Monday said that both premiers have tasked the relevant agencies to speed up progress on the proposed integrated double-track rail link between Ipoh-Padang Besar and Padang Besar-Hat Yai, and the high-speed rail alignment in both countries.
Both premiers also concurred that the facilitation of road and rail-based movement of goods and passengers is crucial to increase trade volume between Malaysia and Thailand, as well as achieving Asean regional integration.
“In this regard, they urged the relevant agencies on both sides to expedite the negotiations on the MOUs on the cross-border transportation of goods and passengers.
“Concurrently, both sides agreed to facilitate permit requirements for plant-based goods transiting through Thailand via the Asean express freight train service between Malaysia and China,” the joint statement added.
