Malaysia’s High Speed Rail Project to offer 30,000 jobs

Travelling at speeds of up to 300 km/h, the bullet train, or technically referred to as the high speed rail (HSR), is fast becoming the rail transport system of the future. Originally introduced in Japan in 1964, HSR services are offered in over 20 developed economies, including Austria, France, Germany, UK, and USA.

A 2012 BBC article* drew attention to the success of France’s HSR development in the town of Lille. Once the heart of the French industrial region in the 1970s, the massive infrastructure project led to the revitalisation of faltering businesses in a town that was hard hit by closures of traditional industries. France’s story is just one of many examples of how the introduction of a HSR system can have huge multiplier effects towards a region’s economy. While its immediate benefit is to connect people through faster travel, in the process, the HSR can enhance socio-economic development in towns and small cities along its routes. 

In Malaysia, the HSR has been identified as a key national project that will improve our country’s economic dynamism and livability rankings under the Economic Transformation Programme Roadmap in 2010. Years of studies and discussions with relevant parties finally bore fruit on 19 July 2016 when Malaysia and Singapore signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the HSR.

The MoU was signed by Singapore Transport Minister, Khaw Boon Wan, along with Malaysia’s Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan. Witnessed by both Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysian Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak , the MoU captures the key points of agreement on the project, which include the technical parameters; commercial model; customs, immigration & quarantine (CIQ) clearance; safety & security matters; regulatory framework; and project management.

Construction on the 350km HSR project is set to take place from 2018 to 2025**.  In the years leading up to the completion of the project, Malaysians in particular can expect an increased demand for highly-skilled and specialised jobs. When operations commence in 2026, Malaysians can expect economic development in towns along the rail link that connects the two terminal stations of Bandar Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur and Jurong East in Singapore. The six intermediate stations in Malaysia are: Iskandar Puteri, Batu Pahat, Muar, Ayer Keroh, Seremban and Putrajaya.

To facilitate the development and implementation of the project, MyHSR Corporation, a new entity wholly owned by the Minister of Finance, was established in 2015. The man tasked to helm MyHSR is the former CEO of Malaysia's Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), Mohamad Nur Ismal bin Mohamed Kamal. Mohd Nur is experienced in urban public transport logistics and needs, having been a special advisor with the Ministry of Transport prior to his five years as SPAD’s chief. 

According to MyHSR’s corporate website***, there will be 30,000 job opportunities in the pipeline for Malaysians and expatriate talent. Already, the company is on the lookout for specialists in the following areas: engineering (design, assurance, construction & logistics, operations & maintenance), delivery management (package delivery, stakeholder management, interface), project management (project control, management system) and commercial (transit oriented development (TOD), contract & tender management).

In an email interview with TalentCorp, Mohd Nur shared that “the HSR is more than just a transport infrastructure project”.

It will present an opportunity to open up and rejuvenate smaller cities in Peninsular Malaysia by connecting them to the two major metropolises.”

Mohd Nur added that the HSR project will not only transform economic activities but also increase mobility and reduce journey time, which will ultimately lead to growth. 

“This is very much in line with our inspiration to move towards a high-income nation because without this, things will grow organically at a normal rate. But with this opportunity, we can look at different growth projections, different trajectory all together,” he said.