TTF: On the 28th of May 2018, I wrote (in orange):
TTF: Dr Mahathir Mohamad called for a press conference (PC) today after chairing Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s (PPBM) supreme council meeting. During the PC, he announced the scrapping of the Kuala Lumpur Singapore high-speed rail (HSR) project which he alleged would not bring the government a sen. The Prime Minister had by his side both the president and deputy president of PPBM, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Dato’ Seri Mukhriz Mahathir respectively.
Now, while it is quite normal for such announcements to be made at party PCs, I am told that the PC was called specifically to announce the scrapping of the project. And that brings me to my question – since when was Mukhriz a member of the Malaysian Cabinet? Was the scrapping at all a government decision, or was the decision made by members of PPBM’s supreme council?
Care to respond, Mr Prime Minister?
Well, it looks like the Prime Minister responded to me (see news item below) in a roundabout sort of manner. But what kind of response is this? Since when was the scrapping of HSR part of Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto?
Care to try again, Mr Prime Minister?
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has denied an accusation that he had pre-empted the Cabinet when he announced the cancellation of the Malaysian-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) project.
He said the issue had been a part of the Pakatan Harapan manifesto and had been used in the campaign for the general election on May 9.
“No. That was decided by the party from the very beginning. We campaigned on that issue and I’m not going to go away from the decision of the party simply because I can’t form a Cabinet soon enough,” he said at a press conference after having chaired a meeting of the Pakatan Harapan Presidential Council here today.
The Prime Minister was asked about the Barisan Nasional allegation that he had pre-empted the Cabinet by announcing the cancellation of the HSR project.
On May 28, Dr Mahathir confirmed that Malaysia would scrap the project and would most likely have to pay compensation of up to RM500 million to Singapore.
The HSR, planned to run over 335 kilometres and involving four states, would have connected Kuala Lumpur to Singapore. The project was scheduled for completion in 2026.
Source: NST Online
