MCA’s Ayer Hitam MP Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has questioned how the Government is able to confirm the total cost for the High-Speed Rail (HSR) at RM110bil when the international tender is still ongoing.

Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby, he urged Economics Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali to furnish more evidence to back his claims.

“So, how does the estimated RM74bil figure suddenly turn into RM110bil?

“Even if you take into consideration the interest costs and financial packages, you will still have to get the details before you can estimate the cost.

“This means that for any government, they must have scientific studies to justify their statements,” he added.

Dr Wee had earlier raised the question to Azmin during Question Time, during which the minister claimed that there were “hidden costs” that the then Barisan Nasional government did not reveal.

Dr Wee also expressed shock over a statement by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng that the Government could halve the cost of the 350km HSR construction to RM55bil.

He also took a swipe at the Prime Minister for making a “U-turn” by scrapping the HSR on May 28 only to announce in Japan on June 12 that this had only been deferred.

In Dewan Rakyat, Azmin had told Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (BN-Bagan Datuk) that there were clauses allowing either Malaysia or Singapore to opt out of the project.

Dr Wee said according to feedback from the Attorney General’s Chambers, which had examined the bilateral agreement, the matter must be resolved based on laws and would include bilateral negotiations.

“We are looking at all the available options. The bilateral agreement provides for either party to cancel the project.

“This, however, is subjected to terms and conditions,” Azmin said, adding that he would be leading a delegation to Singapore soon.

On the cost of the project, he said this was done by both his ministry and the Finance Ministry, and maintained that “it was just costing” at the moment.

-The Star-