The development of Malaysia's railways, from the first tracks laid for transporting tin to the extensive network that exists today, mirrors the broader social and economic transformations that have shaped the nation.

In 1886, the line was extended to connect the tin-rich area of Larut, further boosting the region's economy by providing an efficient means of transporting tin to the port.

This unification allowed for more coordinated planning and development, setting the stage for the creation of major rail lines that would form the backbone of the national network.

The first railway line, which was opened on 1 June 1885, was about 13 km long and ran between Port Weld and Taiping, the heart of the tin-rich Larut Valley in Perak state.

The West Coast Line, completed in 1923, ran from Padang Besar near the Thai border in the north to Woodlands Train Checkpoint, Singapore in the south.

Sabotage and attacks on trains and infrastructure caused disruptions, but the rail network remained operational and played a vital role in the British efforts to maintain control during the conflict.

The rail networks in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak were brought under the administration of Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM), allowing for more unified management and planning.

Built during the British North Borneo era, this narrow-gauge railway played a crucial role in connecting remote areas with the state capital and was vital for the transportation of goods and passengers in the region.

The electrification marked the start of a transition from diesel-powered to electric trains, significantly improving travel times, efficiency, and capacity in the rapidly urbanizing region.

These lines provided a much-needed solution to the increasing traffic congestion in the Klang Valley, offering fast and efficient connections between key urban centers.

The SSR modernization is ongoing, with plans to further enhance the network by extending the line to other parts of Sabah, thereby improving connectivity and supporting the state's economic development.

The ETS offered high-speed rail services between major cities, including Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, and Penang, providing a comfortable and efficient alternative to road and air travel.

[3][4][5] In 2015, as part of the PTMP, the state government announced a proposed RM10 billion light rail transit (LRT) line to link downtown George Town with the Penang International Airport.

This project is expected to reduce travel times, boost economic development in the east coast states, and improve the overall efficiency of Malaysia's rail network.

The proposed light rail transit (LRT) line between downtown George Town, the Penang International Airport and Silicon Island was granted federal approval in 2019.

Expected to be completed by 2026, the RTS will ease congestion on the Causeway and provide a fast, efficient cross-border commuting option for thousands of daily travelers.

In Johor's Iskandar Malaysia region, Kuching in Sarawak, and Putrajaya, the Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit (ART) system is being studied and tested.

The ART, which is a hybrid between a bus and a train, offers a flexible and cost-effective alternative to traditional rail transit, making it an attractive option for rapidly growing urban areas.

In May 2009, Global Rail Sdn Bhd, a relatively small contractor and its Chinese partner, China Infraglobe submitted a proposal to the Government to build and upgrade tracks from Gemas to Johor Bahru at a cost of MYR 5 billion.

[34] On 29 January 2011, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said that the Gemas-Johor Bahru double-tracking and electrification project was expected to start that year.

[42] The 29 km (18 mi) line is the first domestic light rail system outside the Klang Valley, comprising 21 stations between Penang Sentral in Seberang Perai, downtown George Town, Bayan Lepas and Silicon Island.

Currently, Terengganu is the only state in Peninsular Malaysia without a passenger railway system, as the KTM East Coast Line only services Pahang and Kelantan.

This route which runs from north-west to south-east of Kuala Lumpur is densely populated and is currently inadequately served by the then existing rail-based public transport.

[60] The construction of the RM10.8 billion project was expected to commence by 2019 and was scheduled to be operational by 2024,[61] however, it was scrapped in favor of a more cost-affordable Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit (ART) system.

On 17 September 2015, it was announced that the Sabah State Railway will be extended to cover the northern and east coast areas, mainly to major towns of Kudat, Sandakan and Tawau.

[76] Malaysia's commuter rail system plays a vital role in connecting urban centers with suburban and outlying regions, offering a reliable and efficient mode of transportation for millions of passengers.

KTM Komuter service primarily serving the Klang Valley and northern region with routes span over 280 km (170 mi), with more than xx stations .

Since its full opening on 17 July 2017, the Kajang Line has been serving various densely populated suburban areas such as Bandar Utama, Kota Damansara and Balakong.

The Putrajaya Line also links several townships south of Kuala Lumpur, including Cyberjaya, Seri Kembangan and Sungai Besi as well as Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).

It is currently in charge of leading the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project that is undergoing construction as well as maintaining its fleet of hydrogen fuel cell buses.