Tan Cheng Bock: President should question gov’t if it wants to dip into reserves to build High Speed Rail

Candidate for the 2011 Presidential Election, Dr Tan Cheng Bock, has voiced his concerns about situating the terminus for the High Speed Rail in Jurong East. Writing in his Facebook, Dr Tan questioned if the move was a wise one and if there was a particular reason for doing this.

“It was not so long ago that, after years of prolonged and protracted discussions, that government was able to push the Customs,Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) centre at Tanjong Pager to Woodlands for better inspection and security,” Dr Tan said in asking, “therefore for the same reasons, isn’t it better for HSR to stop at our CIQ at Tuas?”

He pointed out that the extra 15km rail into Jurong is not only going to cost the country billions of dollars (especially if construction has to be underground) but more importantly, it may cause social, environmental disruptions and security issues.

“Stopping at Tuas will be less disruptive, better border control and the huge budget saved can be channelled to better our social and health needs of our already aging population,” he said.

And added: “So parliament must question the rationale for taking this option and President l am sure will do likewise if a request is called for to dip into the nation’s reserves.”

Dr Tan is not qualified to contest the next Presidential Election. It has been reserved for a candidate from the Malay community.