KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 18): The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) said Malaysia is still finalising details with Singapore on the high speed rail (HSR) linking Kuala Lumpur and the republic.

SPAD chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar said there will be a clearer update on the HSR project next year.

"By next year, we would be able to say something clearer, but not now," he told a media briefing after opening the Land Public Transport Symposium 2014 on "The Future of Our Cities: Thinking Ahead, Building Together" today.

"There is nothing [that] I want to update on the HSR. It is an ongoing discussion between the governments [Malaysia and Singapore]. I think we leave it at that," he added.

On reports saying the two countries should resolve 'economic and political sensitivities' in relation to the HSR project, Syed Hamid said it is expected.

He said it is too early to regard such matters as an impediment to the HSR project.

"It is expected anyway, when it (rail network) is in between two sovereign countries. Let them (the two governments) be satisfied in what they are going to be involved in," he said.

The proposed HSR link will connect Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Seremban, Ayer Keroh, Muar, Batu Pahat and Nusajaya, before ending in Singapore.

Construction is expected to commence in 2016, with a nine-year period for completion.