Transport Ministry Progresses with Feasibility Study on Trans Borneo Railway, Results Targeted for Mid-2026

Malaysia’s Transport Ministry has officially begun a comprehensive feasibility study on the proposed Trans Borneo Railway, a major infrastructure initiative that would link Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, and Kalimantan in Indonesia. Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed that the study commenced in June and is scheduled for completion by the middle of next year.

According to Loke, the appointed consultants are currently conducting wide-ranging engagement sessions with federal ministries, state governments, public agencies, and industry stakeholders. These consultations aim to gather early feedback and evaluate the country’s domestic market capacity to support such a large-scale project. Similar cross-border discussions with Brunei and Indonesia will follow to ensure the proposal aligns with broader regional development plans.

He explained that once the study is completed, the government will assess the proposal based on several key areas, including technical design requirements, economic impact, long-term financial commitments, and overall cost viability.

The Trans Borneo Railway concept was first introduced in 2015 by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak as a means to enhance the movement of passengers, goods, and services throughout the island of Borneo. Since then, interest in the project has resurfaced. In April last year, Brunei-based Brunergy Utama Sdn Bhd announced an intention to develop the railway in two phases, outlining a 1,600km high-speed route capable of reaching up to 350km/h.

Loke clarified, however, that despite such claims, the project has not been awarded to any company and remains purely at the proposal stage. He reiterated that any mega infrastructure undertaking would only be considered legitimate once formally announced by the government.

For investors and businesses monitoring major infrastructure trends — particularly those involved in commercial property in KL, industrial land in Selangor, office space in Bukit Jalil, factory developments in Puchong, or industrial property in the Subang area — the progress of large national connectivity projects such as this could signal wider economic opportunities in the coming years.