Malaysia open to extending China-led rail project to Thai border

Malaysia’s government has said it would consider extending a $10 billion China-led rail project to its border with Thailand to boost economic ties between the Southeast Asian neighbours.
Part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the 665-kilometre (413-mile), 50.27 billion ringgit ($10.63 billion) railway is on track to connect the east and west coasts of peninsular Malaysia by the end of 2026.
Malaysia’s Transport Minister Anthony Loke said on Wednesday the government was open to proposals to extend the track to the border with Thailand, for further integration into existing railway networks or future infrastructure developments. He did not provide further details.
Loke told Malaysia’s Senate, “When the connectivity of railway tracks between Malaysia and Thailand can be modernised and improved, the movement of cargo and passengers between the two countries will become faster, thus stimulating economic growth.”