Malaysia has to delay the HSR project after realising it cannot wiggle itself out of the contract.

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/hsr-likely-delayed-not-scrapped-031520857.html

Flip-flop again and again.  Cancel or delay?

Look like Malaysia cannot wiggle itself out of the compensation clause and has no choice but to delay the HSR project.

However, Malaysia still has to pay for liquidation damage for the deferment which may be lower than the cancellation fee.