KUALA LUMPUR: Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali confirms he did not meet with Singapore's Ministry of Transport officials during his recent trip to the island republic.
Asked to comment on reports that Singapore MOT denied having met him over the weekend, Mohamed Azmin when met in the Parliament lobby today, said, ""Yes, they (Singapore media) were right. When I spoke to you yesterday, did I say I met officials from MOT?"
Asked on who he met in Singapore, in jest he said, "A Singaporean."
Yesterday, Mohamed Azmin denied that his trip to Singapore was primarily to meet with officials there over the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) project.
Stating he was there to call on Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who was in a hospital there, Mohamed Azmin however said that he "did take the opportunity to meet senior officials on the HSR", adding that it was a "very positive meeting".
Meanwhile, Mohamed Azmin said Malaysia would present "all options" to Singapore for consideration on the HSR.
He said the meeting date with Singapore has been decided and fixed for this month, adding that "all options" would be discussed including possible compensation.
However, he said that he would certainly present Malaysia's case based on the mandate given by the Cabinet to him.
Mohamed Azmin said it was only fair for Singapore to have the opportunity to listen to what he has to say in the official meeting.
On the possibility of making the HSR project cheaper, Mohamed Azmin said, "Subject to our discussion, we must ensure the whole process is transparent and follow the due process of the rule of law."