After 18 countries signed the Trans-Asian Railway Network Agreement in June 2006, the Kunming-Vientiane rail journey will be possible next month, which makes analysts wonder whether Malaysia is up to speed compared with its neighbours when it comes to rail network development.

DREAMS and hopes give us a purpose in life and the same can be applied to a nation. A country needs a dream, hopes and a purpose to move on, especially after being deeply wounded by political conflict.