Johor said: No to Singapore investors for Monorail

Monorail job: No need for S’pore

Johor Baru MP Datuk Shahrir Samad said Singapore did not have any track record in building a monorail and it was only justified to award the project to Malaysian companies. He also said the monorail project should be owned by locals and not Singaporeans.

"Why should we allow an outsider to teach us something that we are better at?" Shahrir said.

"We welcome foreigners to invest in the Iskandar Development Region and other ventures. When locals have the expertise in certain fields, why should we look for foreigners?" he asked.

Singapore’s public transport operator, SMRT Corp, is keen to participate in the Johor Baru Monorail project.

SMRT, 55% owned by Temasek Holdings has offered to take up equity in the RM3 billion monorail project.

Jalur Mudra Sdn Bhd (JM), the company given the Letter of Exclusivity by the Johor government said SMRT was keen to be the technology partner or project manager for the JB Monorail. Johor Baru City Council (MBJB), is the other partner in the project. It will hold 30 per cent equity.

According to NST, the JB Monorail will be unique in that it will be based on the "maglev", or magnetic levitation technology. This is an advanced technology in which magnetic forces lift, propel and guide the trains over an elevated guideway.

I don't know how they got the idea that "maglev" is touted as an advance technology. I think they did not visit Europe, particularly Eastern Europe decades ago where such rail technology was used. In fact, China uses this technology because they had acquired the copyrights for the design and it's far cheaper than bullet-train technology or the MRT technology. Maglev, a new technology? Ya, 80 years ago, in Eastern Europe.

While Johor do not appreciate investments from Singapore for the monorail project, however, Singapore has open-arms for Malaysian entrepreneurs for any business investments. Malaysians are welcome to invest in casinos, karaoke, hair salons, property development, etc, etc. Genting and YTL are investing in Sentosa Island. Many other Malaysians have invested in Singapore and the govt of Singapore are doing everything necessary to welcome these investors, ensuring that the business process are efficient and effective so as not to hinder the progress.