KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 27): The government is "on the right track" to improve Malaysia's rail and road network infrastructure across ports and industrial areas in urban and rural areas under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), said MyHSR Corp Sdn Bhd.

The company said the plan will improve first and last mile connectivity in the country, spur industry competitiveness to meet current demands and attract new investments and innovation to transform the country towards high-growth future industries.

"The strategy to prioritise key infrastructure projects for public well-being is very much needed to accelerate the nation's economic recovery, due to its high multiplier effect across a huge supply chain.

"As proven in developed countries like the US, China, the UK, Japan and several neighbouring countries, transportation-based infrastructure projects will not only generate thousands of high-skilled job opportunities, but also economic growth in the surrounding areas," MyHSR Corp said in a statement.

"High-technology infrastructure projects such as rail will also contribute to the target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to protect the sustainability of the environment, which is aspired by all," it added.

The rail company said it fully supports the 12MP, and will contribute to realise the objectives of the plan and ensure its success in the spirit of "Keluarga Malaysia".

MyHSR Corp oversaw the ambitious KL-Singapore High Speed Rail project, which was scrapped in January after Singapore could not agree on changes proposed by the Malaysian government.

There were talks that Malaysia would be undertaking the project with a new alignment stretching from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru, but no official announcement has been made to date. The HSR project was not mentioned in the 12MP tabled by the prime minister on Monday.

Two key rail projects underlined in the five-year plan spanning 2021-2025 are the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track (which will be fully completed by 2023) and the East Coast Rail Link (slated for completion by 2026).

Another transport infrastructure project mentioned is the Central Spine Road from Bentong, Pahang to Kuala Krai, Kelantan, which is slated for full completion by 2025. Meanwhile, Phase 3 of the East Coast Expressway from Terengganu to Kelantan is scheduled for completion by 2022.