Transport Minister Anthony Loke has expressed Malaysia's readiness to develop the Pan-Asian Railway Network (PARN). The strategic rail infrastructure project, which has received support from Chinese President Xi Jinping, aims to enhance economic connectivity with China. It is expected to significantly boost market access between Malaysia and China, particularly for halal products destined for Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang. Loke emphasized that the proposed network would facilitate the direct export of halal products to these regions via rail. “It also opens up markets in Xinjiang. These regions have significant Muslim populations,” Loke said at a press conference following the Railway Assets Corporation’s (RAC) 2025 appreciation ceremony and Open Day.Furthermore, Loke declared that Malaysia has already taken initial action through the ASEAN Express pilot project, which was started in collaboration with China-based logistics companies and Thailand's State Railway (SRT).
Despite its potential, the route, which now allows freight shipping from Malaysia to Chongqing in just nine days, may run into legal and regulatory problems, according to Loke, who also notes that Malaysia is collaborating with regional partners to resolve these concerns.“This is a collaboration between KTMB, SRT and partners in China... We hope it can eventually be established as a regular service,” Loke said.According to the Transport Minister, the government is also making significant investments in infrastructure improvements, such as the ongoing double-tracking project along the Johor Bahru–Padang Besar line, which is anticipated to be finished by the end of the year. “Upon completion, we will have a continuous double-track railway network from Johor Bahru right up to Padang Besar,” Loke added.
