Malaysia ready for Pan-Asian Railway Network – Loke

Malaysia is ready to support the development of the Pan-Asian Railway Network (PARN), which will connect Kunming, China to Singapore via various routes through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, Bernama reports.

According to transport minister Anthony Loke, Chinese president Xi Jinping expressed support for the project during the latter’s recent Malaysian visit.

“This network will open new trade routes to western China, particularly regions such as Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang, where there is a significant Muslim population. This presents an opportunity for Malaysia to tap into the halal market in China. Halal products from Malaysia could be transported via rail directly to these regions,” the New Straits Times quoted Loke as saying.

The transport minister added that having an international rail service poses several challenges – particularly in the legal and customs clearance areas – which Malaysia will address with the relevant countries. He is scheduled to meet Thai deputy prime minister and transport minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit on May 2 to discuss the PARN.

Loke mentioned the ASEAN Express, a pilot project jointly undertaken by Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), which commenced last year.

“This is a collaboration between KTM, SRT and partners in China to transport cargo from Malaysia to Chongqing, China, with a transit time of nine days. We hope it can eventually be established as a regular service,” he said, adding that KTM’s entire 900-km West Coast Line (Padang Besar-Johor Bahru) will be double-tracked and electrified by year-end.

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