Trans-Borneo Railway

The '''Trans-Borneo Railway''' ([[Malay language|Malay]]: ''Kereta Api Trans-Borneo'' <ref>{{Cite web |last=BERNAMA |date=2026-05-23 |title=Sarawak sedia bantu realisasi projek Kereta Api Trans-Borneo - Abang Johari |url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/mutakhir/2026/05/1361470/sarawak-sedia-bantu-realisasi-projek-kereta-api-trans-borneo-abang-johari |access-date=2026-05-31 |website=Harian Metro |language=en}}</ref>) is a proposed international railway network that will connect the territories of [[Malaysia]], [[Brunei]] and [[Indonesia]] on the island of [[Borneo]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaur |first=Sharen |date=2026-05-28 |title=Sabah, Sarawak rail plans to boost construction pipeline, execution key [WATCH] {{!}} New Straits Times |url=https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2026/05/1449936/sabah-sarawak-rail-plans-boost-construction-pipeline-execution |access-date=2026-05-31 |website=NST Online |language=en}}</ref> The proposed network will link major urban, logistics and industrial centres in [[Sabah]], [[Sarawak]], [[Brunei]] and [[Kalimantan]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Kaur |first=Sharen |date=2025-09-16 |title=Trans-Borneo Railway could transform East Malaysia, anchor Asean rail links {{!}} New Straits Times |url=https://www.nst.com.my/business/economy/2025/09/1275808/trans-borneo-railway-could-transform-east-malaysia-anchor-asean |access-date=2026-05-31 |website=NST Online |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-17 |title=Transport Ministry studying feasibility of Trans Borneo Railway, findings expected by mid-2026 |url=https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/780948 |access-date=2026-05-31 |website=The Edge Malaysia}}</ref>

Currently, there is only one operational rail network on the island of Borneo which is the [[Sabah State Railway]]; a [[Western Sabah Railway Line|134-kilometre single track line]] that connects [[Tanjung Aru]], [[Kota Kinabalu]] to [[Tenom]].

== Background == The island of Borneo which is among the world's largest islands and home to over 20 million inhabitants does not possess an extensive rail network. Rail transport currently only exists in Sabah linking the [[West Coast Division|West Coast]] and [[Interior Division|Interior]] of Sabah, the metre gauge single track [[Western Sabah Railway Line]]. Recent developments such as Indonesia's planned move of it's capital to Kalimantan as well as increased focus on development in East Malaysia has increased the push for a comprehensive rail network for Borneo.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Doksil |first=Mariah |date=2025-08-23 |title=Could a Trans-Borneo Railway transform Sabah? |url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2025/08/23/could-a-trans-borneo-railway-transform-sabah/ |access-date=2026-05-31 |website=Borneo Post Online |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2026-03-05 |title=Sarawak supports federal Trans-Borneo Railway proposal, says Abd Karim |url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2026/03/05/sarawak-supports-federal-trans-borneo-railway-proposal-says-abd-karim/ |access-date=2026-05-31 |website=Borneo Post Online |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Ming |first=C. S. |date=2025-12-23 |title=Trans-Borneo Railway seen as catalyst for trade, tourism and integration |url=https://focusmalaysia.my/trans-borneo-railway-seen-as-catalyst-for-trade-tourism-and-integration/ |access-date=2026-05-31 |language=en-US}}</ref> Brunei-based Brunergy Utama Sdn Bhd proposed and outlined plans for a US$70 billion project.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hayat |first=Wiji Nur |title=Gempar! Ini Mega Proyek Kereta Cepat Kalimantan Tembus IKN Rp 1.114 T |url=https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20240403162239-4-528002/gempar-ini-mega-proyek-kereta-cepat-kalimantan-tembus-ikn-rp-1114-t |access-date=2026-05-31 |website=CNBC Indonesia |language=id}}</ref> The proposal entailed two routes covering 1620km with [[High-speed rail|high-speed]] trains reaching 300-350km/h.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hayat |first=Wiji Nur |title=Jreng! Brunei Buka Suara Soal Proyek Kereta Cepat Kalimantan ke IKN |url=https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20240410211016-4-529720/jreng-brunei-buka-suara-soal-proyek-kereta-cepat-kalimantan-ke-ikn |access-date=2026-05-31 |website=CNBC Indonesia |language=id}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Reporters |first=F. M. T. |date=2024-04-05 |title=No company appointed for Trans Borneo Railway project, says Brunei govt |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2024/04/05/no-company-appointed-for-trans-borneo-railway-project-says-brunei-govt |access-date=2026-05-31 |website=Free Malaysia Today {{!}} FMT |language=en}}</ref> In March 2026. the Malaysian Transport Minister [[Anthony Loke]] mentioned that a feasibility study for the rail network is underway and expected to be completed by mid 2026. He estimated that the rail network would take decades to be fully constructed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bernama |date=2026-03-03 |title=Trans-Borneo Railway feasibility study expected by mid-year {{!}} New Straits Times |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/03/1389268/trans-borneo-railway-feasibility-study-expected-mid-year |access-date=2026-05-31 |website=NST Online |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-11-28 |title=Trans-Borneo Railway preliminary alignment proposed, project undergoing feasibility study |url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2025/11/28/trans-borneo-railway-preliminary-alignment-proposed-project-undergoing-feasibility-study/ |access-date=2026-05-31 |website=Borneo Post Online |language=en-US}}</ref> The study looks into the proposed rail alignments and possible integration with the under construction [[Kuching Urban Transportation System]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-11-28 |title=Trans-Borneo Railway feasibility study explores integration with KUTS |url=https://dayakdaily.com/trans-borneo-railway-feasibility-study-explores-integration-with-kuts/ |access-date=2026-05-31 |website=DayakDaily |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-30 |title=Our Project - Brunergy Utama Sdn Bhd |url=https://brunergyutama.com/our-project/ |access-date=2026-05-31 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== See also == * [[Sabah State Railway]] * [[Sarawak Railway Line]] * [[Rail transport in Malaysia]] * [[Rail transport in Brunei]] * [[Rail transport in Indonesia]]

== References == {{Reflist}}

[[Category:Proposed rail infrastructure in Malaysia]] [[Category:Rail transport in Sabah]] [[Category:Transport in Sarawak]] [[Category:Transport in Brunei]] [[Category:Rail transport in Indonesia]] [[Category:Rail transport in Malaysia]] [[Category:Rail transport in Southeast Asia]]