KL Sentral redevelopment plan

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

Hello from Chiang Mai. After nearly two months of travel, I will be in Chiang Mai for two months to catch up on writing about what I saw on this trip.

I started this week with the news that KL Sentral will be redeveloped (a station that is overdue for an update). I made a fact sheet for the redevelopment, and part II about how to fix it will be out next week.

Latest posts at Future Southeast Asia

• Kuala Lumpur Sentral Station redevelopment

News

• Decarbonising Southeast Asia through solar and pumped hydro

🇰🇭 Cambodia

• Cambodia's planned canal isn't in its own interest, only China's

“Development should be halted for independent review of risks and benefits.”

• The Funan Techo Canal: treading new waters, stirring old ripples

"Cambodia’s Funan Techo Canal is an embodiment of the country’s renaissance and grievances of its past."

• China considering additional SEZs in Kingdom

• Feature: Work on China’s BRI-backed Mekong River bridge in NE Cambodia in full swing, with 51 pct completed

• Kingdom asks Japan to accelerate PAS expansion

“Cambodia has requested Japanese support for the upgrade of the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port (PAS), as well as a study into the development of a master plan which will guide the port’s development into a regional port and logistics centre by 2050.”

• Kampot International Port prepares for Phase 1 launch

• Kep’s White Horse Port now 90% complete

• “Robot” boat cleans Cambodian waterways

🇮🇩 Indonesia

• Gov’t already spends $298 million in new capital construction so far this year

• Indonesia expects Autonomous Rail Transit trial in new capital Nusantara this August

• North Bali airport development will continue, supported by Penglingsir Puri Agung

• Tourism expert criticises plan to build airport in North Bali

🇱🇦 Laos

• Lao​s​, Australia: putting renewable energy into action - sparking new connections

🇲🇾 Malaysia

• Big prospects for Silicon Island

“The man-made Silicon Island project off the Penang island’s southern coast is expected to create 220,000 new job opportunities in the next 30 years, says Zairil Khir Johari.“

• Penang reaffirms decision to halt reclamation for Penang Silicon Island project

“The Penang government has reiterated that it will not proceed with reclamation works for Island B and Island C of the Penang South Islands (PSI) reclamation project.”

• Gurney Bay contractor fined RM1.6 million over delays

• Penang assembly to discuss flash floods, traffic congestion, landslides

• Bintulu’s ‘Golden Gate Bridge’ a catalyst for growth

 🇵🇭 Philippines

• AIIB approves $1-B loan for Bataan-Cavite bridge

• Philippine launches ambitious railway development plan

The projects include the North Luzon Railway, the Mindanao Railway, and new lines in Bicol, Palawan, and Visayas.

• Philippines seeks Asia logistics hub status, banking on US ties

• P95-billion Pasig River Expressway project to proceed, San Miguel chief says

• DOTr endorses Philtrak proposal to convert PNR railway into BRT

• Philippines deploys river rangers in battle against plastic

🇸🇬 Singapore

• Up to 20,000 homes planned for Turf City, including first Bukit Timah HDB flats in almost 40 years

• Tunnelling through crowded areas, how engineers navigated constraints to build 7 new Thomson-East Coast Line stations

• New Thompson-East Coast Line MRT stations boast smoother, more sustainable commute

• Construction work for Turf City MRT station to start in third quarter of 2024

🇹🇭 Thailand

• Airport rail link project back on track

"The high-speed rail project linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao airports is expected to be up and running later this year after the state and project builders agreed on a revised project."

• New terminal to expand Don Mueang’s capacity to 50m passengers a year

• Chadchart hails road drainage system as BMA readies plans

"Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the new road drainage system in the Udomsuk area will drain rainwater more effectively and quickly."

• Bangkok Land keen to develop 'smart' Muang Thong Thani

• Malaysia urges Thailand to revive Pan-Asia rail links instead of chasing land bridge dream

• Design change prompts review of Red Line route

"The board of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has ordered the rail agency to review the Red Line electric train extension project out of concern that a proposed design change might affect the high-speed Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao airport link."

🇻🇳 Vietnam

• World Bank to lend $11B to Vietnam over next 5 years

“… lending to large and transformative projects such as Hanoi's metro (Van Cao - Lang Hoa Lac section), the Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho railway, clean energy plants, and the one-million-hectares of high-quality rice initiative.”

• HCMC's delayed anti-flooding project generates $78,000 daily interest for investor

• Delayed project traps 1,000 families in slum along HCMC's metro line

• Ho Chi Minh City plans to connect bike, bus routes with first metro line

• Vietnam’s Quang Tri seeks to build bridge to import 30mn tonnes of coal from Laos

• Abandoned beachfront projects a waste of prime lands

"Three high-profile resort projects on prime coastal land in Quang Nam Province have remained half-finished for years, impacting local economic development."

• Youth install Saigon's canal floating trash barriers