Will certainly be a major boost to KL.

The Singaporeans can take a ride to KL for Bak Kut Teh for breakfast and be back to Orchard for lunch. It will be awesome for all!

Maybe free if we sit on the roof..

One thing's for sure. If contract awarded to Crony, then costs will be koyak and ticket price double..unless Gomen subsidize with our money.

This is where one needs to change ones traditional kampung way of thinking. No longer about just shopping for groceries or getting cheaper fuel etc. Such interconnectivity will open up a brand new dimension at a macro level which will break down borders in terms of population movement for families, workers, tourists, businesses and eliminate barriers for corporate and industries which will consequently bring in investments, innovation and elevate Greater KL towards global city status.

For instance, a Global MNC looking for a place to set up shop in SEA. Instead of locating everything in Spore where there are abundance of talents but have to suffer high costs, can locate part of their value chain in KL to take advantage of lower costs eg warehouse, manufacturing, service center etc. This is just one example.

This is not just about having cheaper char kiew Tiew, guys. If one cannot see the potential, then be prepared to be left behind.

Exciting stuff!!

Being an eternal optimist I am, I see 2 sides to the equation. On the one hand, property and asset values will surge while on other hand, investments and growth will help create higher value jobs and reduce problems associated with the Middle Income Trap which we are suffering from. No doubt there are other critical issues ie corruption, brain drain etc but its a major step in the right direction.

In terms of property getting another fillip, its already happening in Iskandar. Its the other side of the equation that's going to take some time. Not going to happen overnight. Getting these big projects moving is a start. Changing govt policies, mind-sets and ridding corruption so as to retain and attract talents will take a lot more commitment...probably changes. For our folks to start enjoying better paid jobs and economy moving up the value chain will take at least 5 -10 years, possibly more.

Certainly not going to be a one step action where everything rights itself in one go. It will be a process over an extended period. The first stage is the connectivity infrastructure. This will bring in foreign investments as well as reverse slightly domestic ones which previously were going offshore. Next stage will be more uncertain as it will involved changes in mindset, rejection of religious extremism, tukar govt policies ( ie NEP etc)..and eliminate corruption. Brain drain and a lot of our local/domestic money ( big tycoons esp the non bumi ones prefer investing overseas due to lack of transparency and current govt policies) are predicated on the latter whether we agree or not. Again the key point here is to eliminate the Middle Income Trap which is the consequence of all the stuff which I mentioned earlier.
Investors like us where we have already built a base ie we have properties in hand, will welcome the surge due to these mega projects over the next 5-10years. Beyond that only God knows...

This post has been edited by zonefinder: Feb 25 2013, 11:19 AM

You've got to think out of the box, bro. The possibilities if this comes to fruition are immense. Distance will no longer become a hindrance. MNCs and Companies will not be hindered and can locate their set up more efficiently. For example, you can locate warehousing, production or service centers in KL while maintaining engineering and rnd in Spore so as to be more cost effective. Having a meeting in KL and going back to office in Spore within same day becomes a possibility. How about staying in KV and working in Spore? Those are just a couple of examples.
I'm sure the more imaginative ones will come out with more.
In any case, you mentioned about city transportation, what about the MRT rollout?

Running a biz is not just about getting Banglasia workers ( cannot get in KL meh?). Its about logistics, close proximity to customers, suppliers, communications, facilities etc. KL has other pros which Johore doesn't have eg common weekends Anyway, the point here is that HSR will break down the distance barrier which in the past is seen as a hindrance. It will bring the whole area between KV and Spore closer and smaller. Johore, Malacca and NS will similarly enjoy the same benefits.