Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has challenged former minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan (above) to show proof that at least RM200 billion will be lost if the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) project is scrapped.
"Show the proof. When we said the country lost RM1 trillion, we had the papers, proof and documents to show that we lost (the money).
"Why is he simply making claims? Ask him to show proof," Mahathir told reporters at Bukit Aman tonight after attending a buka puasa do with police personnel.
The premier yesterday confirmed that Malaysia would be dropping the project and would potentially have to pay RM500 million in compensation.
Rahman has said that the government was making a big mistake by cancelling the project, adding it was "too simplistic" for Mahathir to say the project wouldn't be beneficial.
"Potential returns from land value capture would pay for the railway project in the long run.
"On the macro point-of-view, it is estimated that Malaysia will lose an estimated RM209 billion in gross national income (GNI) contribution and lose the potential to create 70,000 jobs if the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail is called off," Rahman had said.
Mahathir, meanwhile, also said that Singapore will be officially informed about the government's plan to cancel the project.
This as Singapore yesterday said it had yet to be notified. -Mkini
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