KL construction report: Great skyscrapers, shame about the sidewalks

The Future Southeast Asia Newsletter features transport and urban development news in Southeast Asia, edited by James Clark.

Hello from Bengkulu in Sumatra! I was in South Sumatra to check out the railway from Palembang to Lubuk Linggau. There is no railway to Bengkulu, so I had to get a shared car (apparently there is no bus). After having just crossed the mountain range along the western side of Sumatra I can see why there is no railway to the coast. It was a spectacular drive to get here, and I keep wondering why Indonesia can’t get its tourism act together. There is a plan to diversify tourism out of Bali with the 10 New Balis project, but that hasn’t worked out yet.

This week’s main article is my construction trip report for Kuala Lumpur. I’m a regular visitor to KL, and it’s always good to return and see what is new. It’s also disappointing to see new projects being built without any consideration for improving pedestrian access in the city.

Latest posts at Future Southeast Asia

• Kuala Lumpur construction update – 2024 edition

This is a summary of the major construction projects in Kuala Lumpur that I visited in April 2024.

News

🇰🇭 Cambodia

• Japanese train expected to boost national rail system

“Cambodia is slated to receive an 11-carriage train from Japan that can reach up to 110 km/h, expected to vastly improve the Kingdom’s rail system.”

• US calls for transparency from Cambodia over China-backed canal

🇮🇩 Indonesia

• Jokowi urges China to expedite Surabaya HSR feasibility study: Retno

• Indonesia to start MRT network expansion beyond Jakarta in Q3 2024

• MRT, Japan’s Sojitz sign $289m deal on HI-Jakarta Kota track works

• Jokowi asks China to help build new capital's transport system

• Indonesia's civil servants to move to Nusantara in stages until 2029

• Indonesia taps influencers to convince people to move to its new, under-construction capital

• Jokowi Inaugurates Reconstruction of Earthquake-Affected Infrastructure in West Sulawesi

🇱🇦 Laos

• Plans for Vangvieng-Luang Prabang expressway move closer to completion

• Thai cabinet approves 1.8 billion baht for road maintenance in Laos

• Laos, Thailand, Australia commemorate 30th anniversary of the 1st Lao-Thai Friendship bridge

🇲🇾 Malaysia

• RM70bil for high-speed bullet train project?

• Reclamation work for Penang Silicon Island progressing as planned despite legal action

• Mutiara LRT line to improve mobility, bolster Penang’s economic potential, says state exec councillor

• Penang to decide on undersea tunnel after reviewing state committee's recommendations

• Johor's special zones including with Singapore could help its economy outpace other Malaysian states: PM Anwar

• Can Forest City emulate Shenzhen?

• Construction of ART depot in full swing

• Rich with hydro-power, Sarawak touts itself as regional centre for clean hydrogen energy

 🇵🇭 Philippines

• SMC prioritizes NAIA over Bulacan airport

“Diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) is delaying development works at its Bulacan airport project by about a year to focus on the modernization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).”

• Philippines wants US, Japan to build rail network after dropping Beijing as ties sour over South China Sea frictions

• Philippines plans development of SEZ, with Singapore-inspired housing and aviation hub

• CAAP rushes works on Laoag airport

🇸🇬 Singapore

• 2.5km underground link to be built between Changi Airport T2 and future T5

🇹🇭 Thailand

• E-bidding for 2nd phase of Thai-Chinese high-speed railway to be held next year

• Train fare on all Bangkok lines to be capped at THB20 by Sept 2025

• PM touts plan to build world’s tallest tower

“A group of investors led by a Dubai-based real estate developer is in talks to build a mixed-use tower in Thailand that may vie for the title of the world’s tallest building, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.”

• Electric bus undergoes trial run in Thong Lo area

• Forget tuk-tuks, Thailand gets an electric Toyota Hilux songthaew

🇻🇳 Vietnam

• Relocation, felling of 453 trees proposed for Ho Chi Minh City’s 2nd metro construction

• HCM City’s 2 new bridges to cost US$717m

• Renovation of HCMC's longest canal paused after contractor's chairman arrested