成为亚细安物流枢纽 泰国要建跨亚洲多国高铁网络
泰媒报道，高铁工程主要分为泰国到老挝及中国南部、泰国到柬埔寨、泰国到马来西亚和新加坡，以及曼谷到清迈四条路线，全长达3193公里，造价约914亿新元。
（曼谷讯）泰国政府希望通过一个横跨亚洲多国的高铁网络，致力推动泰国发展成为亚细安的物流枢纽。
《曼谷邮报》报道，这项庞大工程主要分为泰国到老挝及中国南部、泰国到柬埔寨、泰国到马来西亚和新加坡，以及曼谷到清迈四条路线，全长达3193公里，造价约2.07万亿泰铢（约914亿新元）。
可从中国开到新加坡
泰国交通部副部长拜林说，泰国政府希望这个高铁网络可以从中国一路开往新加坡。他说：“到时候，人们就可从曼谷城区挽赐（Bang Sue）乘高铁北上中国北京或南下新加坡。”
连接曼谷和毗邻老挝的东北部廊开府（Nong Khai）的第一阶段工程正在兴建，预计2023年竣工。这一段铁路长达608公里，落成之后，将会成为曼谷通往老挝的主要运输系统。
下一段铁路将把泰国和老挝边境与老挝首都万象连接，最后一段铁路则会将万象与中国云南省边城磨憨镇相连接。
据一个不愿具名的老挝官员说，万象与磨憨镇之间长达414公里的铁路至今已经完成了55%，衔接万象与廊开的铁路工程也已经展开。
他说：“这是一个将我们从内陆国家转变为有土地联系的国家。”他指，目前人们要从万象前往磨憨镇需要两天，但如后有了高铁，来往这两地“就只需要三个小时”。
老挝希望跨国高铁网络能促进经济发展。受访官员预计，有了这条高铁路线，未来到访老挝的中国游客每年可能多达1000万至2000万人次。
泰国也希望借助这个跨国高铁网络来刺激其经济发展，尤其是该铁路网络将把廊开与泰国东部经济走廊（EEC）衔接起来；泰国东部经济走廊是在泰国东部沿海三府北柳、春武里和罗勇设立的国家经济特区，旨在将泰国东部打造为一个现代智能生产的工业中心。
由于项目的重要性和成本非常高，政府应该认真地与中国谈判，并研究随后的利益和条件。从长远来看，我们需要能自己照顾铁路的一切运作，而毋需依靠中国。——泰中战略研究中心前主任阿克松斯里
泰国国立法政大学经济学院副教授、泰中战略研究中心前主任阿克松斯里表示，高铁网络是中国倡议“一带一路”计划的一部分，落成后将会提高泰国的竞争力和与邻国的联系。
不过她指出，发展高铁网络存在一定担忧，主要是在软件和系统安全方面，其他可能影响铁路网络建造项目的障碍还包括“高建筑和征收成本”。放眼望去，泰国日后决定购买中国科技时，也必须明智地进行谈判。
她说：“由于这个项目的重要性和其成本非常高，政府应该认真地与中国谈判，并研究随后的利益和条件。从长远来看，我们需要能自己照顾铁路的一切运作，而毋需依靠中国。”
~联合早报~
Singapore welcomes Malaysia’s proposal for sheltered walkways across the Causeway
Singapore welcomed Malaysia’s plans to build sheltered walkways across the Causeway, although it has yet to receive any official proposal or communication on the plans.
In response to TODAY’s queries on Malaysia’s plans for sheltered walkways linking Johor to Woodlands, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Transport (MOT) said on Wednesday (June 19) that there is already a pedestrian walkway on Singapore’s half of the Causeway beside the vehicular lanes.
That section of walkway is largely not sheltered, and is available only along the outbound side of the Causeway heading towards Malaysia.
“We welcome the construction of a sheltered walkway on Malaysia’s side linking the Johor Baru CIQ (Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex) to the pedestrian walkway on Singapore’s side,” the spokesperson added.
Earlier on Wednesday, Malaysian news agency Bernama reported that the proposed 1.2km sheltered walkway would be built on the existing motorcycle lanes on both sides of the Causeway.
It is expected to cost about RM15 million (S$4.9 million).
The plan by the Malaysian authorities is to make it safer for the thousands of pedestrians who cross the Causeway daily.
Mr Mohd Solihan Badri, chairman of Johor’s Public Works, Infrastructure and Transportation Committee, said that the project will solve the safety issue of people walking on the same road as vehicles. He added that 60 per cent of those who use the Causeway are pedestrians, Bernama reported.
TODAY previously reported that an estimated 300,000 people cross the border daily.
The MOT spokesperson also said that Singapore is committed to working with Malaysia to find practical and effective solutions to resolve the issue of congestion along the bridge.
~News courtesy of Today Online~
Cessation of Departure Immigration Endorsements From 22 April 2019
As part of ongoing efforts to streamline procedures at the checkpoints and facilitate more efficient departure immigration clearance, ICA will cease the issuance of departure immigration endorsements (i.e. stamps of departure dates on travel documents) to all foreign travellers departing Singapore from 22 April 2019.
Singapore and Malaysia to defer Johor Baru-Woodlands RTS Link till Sept 30
Singapore's Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan and his counterpart Anthony Loke at the PSA Building, where Singapore's Transport Ministry is located, on May 21, 2019.ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM.
SINGAPORE (ANN): Singapore and Malaysia will defer construction of a cross-border MRT link up till Sept 30 this year.
As part of the deal, Malaysia will also reimburse Singapore for the costs incurred as a result of the six-month suspension of the planned Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link.
Singapore's Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan and his counterpart Anthony Loke met on Tuesday (May 21) at the PSA Building, where Singapore's Transport Ministry is located.
They will sign an agreement to formalise the six-month suspension.
"If not, the RTS Link Project will be deemed to have been terminated by Malaysia, and Malaysia will reimburse Singapore for the costs we have incurred in fulfilling our RTS Link obligations till now," said Khaw.
Khaw said the decision to suspend the RTS Link Project will affect the Land Transport Authority's contractors and bidders involved in the development, as well as SMRT, which is Singapore's Joint Venture partner for the RTS Link operator.
Malaysia had earlier requested for a six-month suspension of the project from April 1, saying that it needed to review the costs, including how to bring them down further.
The 4km RTS link - which would connect Woodlands North station on Singapore's Thomson-East Coast MRT Line to Bukit Chagar in Johor Baru - was targeted to begin operations by Dec 31, 2024.
However, Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan has said in March that the opening deadline would not be met. - The Straits Times/Asia News Network
Malaysia to implement Vehicle Entry Permit for all foreign vehicles from October
A road transport law that requires all foreign vehicle owners coming into Malaysia to register for a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) will be enforced from October.
In a statement on Thursday (Apr 25), the Malaysian Ministry of Transport said that the VEP will be issued by the Road Transport Department and can be applied for online in a "simple three-step action".
"Only VEP-registered vehicles are allowed entry into Malaysia once it is put into force," it said.
The ministry added that the enforcement of VEP will be implemented in phases.
"For phase one, requirement of VEP for all foreign-registered vehicles entering Malaysia through Bangunan Sultan Iskandar and Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar, Johor, will commence from Oct 1 this year," the ministry said.
"For the enforcement of VEP phase 1, the VEP-RFID tag can be installed or collected at four designated centres in Johor Bahru, which are Gelang Patah Southbound RR; Plaza Angsana Open Carpark; Pandan RnR and Lima Kedai Toll Plaza."
Phase two will involve entry points and land borders between Malaysia and Thailand, while phase three will expand the enforcement of VEP to all entry points and land borders between Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.
The enforcement dates for phases two and three will be announced "in due course", the ministry said.
All vehicle owners who have yet to register for a permit are being reminded to do so. A VEP for each registered motor vehicle will be valid for five years.
VEP AT MALAYSIA-BRUNEI BORDER
Road Transport Department director-general Shaharuddin Khalid revealed plans by the department to impose the VEP requirement at four Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complexes along the Malaysia-Brunei border.
A proposal paper for the plan will be submitted to Transport Minister Anthony Loke later this year, with the main objective of easing the monitoring of foreign-registered vehicles entering Malaysia.
"We hope the VEP requirement can be implemented at the locations early next year," he said at a press conference.
Drivers applying for the VEP will face a one-off registration fee of RM10 to have their permit processed.
Source: Bernama/nh
Foreigners leaving Singapore no longer need passports stamped from April 22
Foreigners leaving Singapore will no longer need to have their passports stamped from next Monday (April 22).
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said on Wednesday that it would "cease the issuance of departure immigration endorsements", meaning stamps of departure dates on travel documents, from April 22.
This is part of ongoing efforts to streamline procedures at the checkpoints and make clearing departure immigration more efficient, it added.
Since September 2016, foreign travellers whose fingerprints were enrolled via the BioScreen system upon their arrival into Singapore have been able to use automated lanes when they leave the country.
Such travellers do not receive stamps on their passports.
Before that, all foreigners departing Singapore had to get their passports stamped with the date of their departure by immigration officers at the manned counters.
The ICA said it would also be informing foreign authorities on its move to cease departure immigration endorsement for foreigners.
More information can be found at www.ica.gov.sg
~News courtesy of Straits Times~
Malaysian carrier Firefly to resume Singapore flights with twice-daily trips
Malaysian budget carrier Firefly said on Friday (Apr 12) that it will resume flights to Singapore with two trips a day.
The move comes after Malaysia suspended its permanent Restricted Area over Pasir Gudang indefinitely, while Singapore withdrew the Instrument Landing System procedures at Seletar Airport, paving the way for Firefly to resume operations.
Firefly will offer two flights a day between Subang and Seletar Airports from April 22 to 28, followed thereafter by six daily flights, it said.
"The schedule takes into account stringent safety measures that are in compliance with the technical requirements established by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia," it said.
Chief executive officer Philip See said the flights will play a significant role in strengthening economic and social ties between Singapore and Malaysia.
"It's important for business, for connecting family and friends, and for tourism, to have our Singapore flights reinstated," he said.
"The new schedule, along with other service enhancements, will be progressively rolled out over the coming months."
Going forward, the 12-year-old airline aims to resume a full schedule once the necessary technical and regulatory approvals are secured.
Tickets are available for purchase from Friday via website www.fireflyz.com.my, the mobile app or the call centre at 03-7845 4543.
Firefly suspended its flights to Singapore in December last year, after it was unable to obtain approval from Malaysia’s aviation regulator to move its operations from Changi Airport to Seletar Airport.
Before the suspension, Firefly offered 20 daily flights between Singapore and Subang, Ipoh and Kuantan.
Source: Bernama/CNA/aj(mi)
