- LATE 1990s: The high-speed rail (HSR) project is proposed by several Malaysian companies. - EARLY 2000: Proposals are submitted by the private sector, including YTL Corp Bhd, but the project never took off.
- 2006: YTL Corp revives the proposal. However, it is not approved as the value proposition is not a priority.
HSR as a high-impact project to improve the economic dynamism of Kuala Lumpur as well as livability rankings relative to other global cities.
- EARLY 2011: The Public Land Transport Commission (SPAD) is tasked by the government to lead the study on the HSR project. - MID-2011: SPAD starts pre-feasibility study (Phase 1A) on the HSR project. The study looks at the possibilities in terms of macro-economic factors, the size of the investment and economic spillover effects. The result is favourable.
- EARLY 2012: SPAD commences a more rigorous feasibility study (Phase 1B), which looks at the project from the macro perspective. The study takes about 12 months. SPAD analyses critical aspects such as the anticipated cost, the economics of running the HSR and operating wages, the economic benefits it will bring in terms of employment during construction and employment after construction, the economic activities that can be generated around the proposed stops in Seremban, Ayer Keroh, Muar, Batu Pahat and Iskandar Puteri, and whether the HSR will change the way business is done not only in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore but also at each stop. The findings show that the economic internal rate of return (EIRR) is very positive. EIRR looks at the impact on the economy in terms of job creation and boost in property values and economic activities.
- FEBRUARY 2013: The prime ministers of Malaysia and Singapore agree to go ahead with the project. Negotiations begin between both countries to find common grounds on the project.
- JUNE 2013: SPAD presents results of the Phase 1B feasibility study to the National Economic Advisory Council.
- APRIL 2015: MyHSR Corp Sdn Bhd is set up to oversee the HSR project. - OCTOBER 2015: SPAD conducts Request for Information exercise.
- April 2016: MyHSR Corp conducts Request for Proposal for technical advisory services.
- JUNE 2016: Expected signing of memorandum of understanding.
- NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016: Expected signing of bilateral agreement.
- EARLY 2017: Procurement process to start.
- 2018/2019: Construction to commence.
- 2027: Commercial operation of the HSR.