News: 9 August 2023

Hello from Lake Toba, Sumatra. There is a train that goes from Medan to Siantar, which is about 3/4 of the way to the lake. After getting the train and then a minivan for the rest of the way, I can see why they haven’t bothered to extend the railway. It is a mountainous area (Lake Toba is in a volcanic crater) which will be a challenge if they go ahead with the Parapat Railway.

It’s been good to see the railways of North Sumatra in person. There are maps at the station that aren’t online, and I found a small spur route that isn’t mentioned anywhere. Indonesia continues the Southeast Asia tradition of having terrible official railway websites.

I’m going to Jakarta next, but the high-speed railway is delayed again so it looks like I will not see the opening. I expected this to happen, which is why I don’t usually plan my travel around opening events. There are plenty of other railways to cover in Java though, which will take a few different trips to cover properly.

I’ve been working on a new feature at futuresoutheastasia.com, so look out for an announcement this week.

Latest posts at Future Southeast Asia

• Future Medan: Construction and transport projects in the largest city in Sumatra

Dispatches from Southeast Asia

• Trip Report: Medan 

An airport train. the massive main square redevelopment, Jakarta-style Superblocks arrive, and the rejuvenation of the old city area that could put Medan on the tourist map. Upgrade subscription to read.

News

🇰🇭 Cambodia

• How a tour of Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh reveals a heritage hotbed beneath the new Chinese money

• Following recent flooding, Run Ta Ek residents urge authorities again to complete drainage system 

🇮🇩 Indonesia

• High-speed rail project delayed once again

"Operators of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway have announced yet another delay of the flagship project’s soft launch to early September, citing the need to ensure preparedness and safety."

• Indonesia’s Greater Jakarta LRT launch delayed once more to prioritise safety

• Distressed Indonesian builder says it can’t pay bonds due Aug. 6

• Indonesia's new capital aims to be 'economic growth center'

“Nusantara construction 'on schedule'; 60,000 people expected in 2024: officials.”

• TikTok stars clean up: the influencers saving Indonesia’s polluted rivers and beaches

🇱🇦 Laos

• Will the modern-day Silk Road bring prosperity to Laos?

• Vientiane residents affected by Laos-China railway project still await compensation

• NEDA seeks to help Lao infrastructure to boost trade, tourism

“Thailand’s Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Neda) says it is planning to ask the Cabinet to approve a loan of 1.8 billion baht to Lao PDR to develop Khamsavath Station in Vientiane to boost cross-border trade and tourism.”

🇲🇾 Malaysia

• KL-SG HSR Project: Malaysia to submit new proposal once initial decision is made, says Anwar

• Malaysia working on plans to build Sabah, Sarawak rail link to Indonesia's new capital

• Anthony Loke: Cabinet approves proposal to redevelop KL Sentral

• Johor's Forest City may be reviewed in 2025

• Penang's new ferry service begins with first passengers

• Penang’s Swettenham Pier will be home port for cruise ship industry, says transport minister

• Sarawak Metro: Autonomous Rapid Transit prototype unit arrives in Kuching

• 'KK airport needs urgent upgrading to ease congestion'

🇵🇭 Philippines

• DOTr: JICA pledges ¥300M to craft PH’s 30-year rail masterplan

• DOTr seeks P164 billion funding for railways

• Lawmaker calls for approval of new Philippine Building Act

• Cebu construction boom suffers from lack of workers

• Keeping Bulacan afloat

🇸🇬 Singapore

• JB-S’pore rapid transit system to start by Dec 31, 2024

• S’pore-KL high-speed rail: No new proposal from Malaysia yet, says Chee Hong Tat

• Singtel begins construction of Singapore’s highest power density, hyper-connected green data centre

• Do you care about migrant workers’ lives or not?

“This week: moral bankruptcy on full display when it comes to the issue of banning the unsafe transport of migrant workers on the backs of lorries.”

🇹🇭 Thailand

• PM tour guarantees Suvarnabhumi will open SAT-1 in September

• Exat to hold public hearings on highway connecting Samui to mainland

• Construction permit regulations for high-rises to be revised

• Thailand to explore spaceport development

• Waste blamed for Koh Lan's green waters

🇹🇱 Timor-Leste

• Timor Leste still on for ASEAN, says Ramos-Horta

🇻🇳 Vietnam

• Ho Chi Minh City plans additional 100km of metro lines

• How Vietnam’s infrastructure incapacity undermines its geoeconomic ambitions

“The lack of progress on the 555-kilometer railway linking Vung Ang to the Lao capital Vientiane contrasts starkly with the recently completed Kunming-Vientiane line.”

• Overburdened Da Lat is falling apart

• Long Thanh International Airport is still looking for a developer, and it is still a great mess. After one consortium was ruled out, they complained about the selected consortium that is being considered. The Deputy PM demands scrutiny over Long Thanh Airport bid.

• Phan Thiet airport to enter service in 2024

• Appraisal council backs $244.3mn airport project in Vietnam’s Quang Tri

• Ninh Thuan looks to become renewable energy hub

• $41mn to be earmarked for fight against erosion along Hoi An beach in Vietnam

• Mekong Delta families block entry to waste treatment plant and Mekong Delta overloaded with garbage