RTS project suspended as M'sia explores cheaper alternatives
The Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link project will be suspended as Malaysia explores more affordable alternatives.
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced this today after a two-day retreat between Malaysian and Singaporean ministers...
The Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link project will be suspended as Malaysia explores more affordable alternatives.
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced this today after a two-day retreat between Malaysian and Singaporean ministers.
“On the Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link project, Singapore is willing to consider suspension of the project.
“Malaysia is also looking at affordable and sustainable alternatives to the RTS Link project,” he told a press conference at the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya.
Mahathir’s counterpart Lee Hsien Loong said he had requested Singapore Attorney-General Lucien Wong to swiftly draft a supplementary agreement to enforce the suspension.
“(It is) similar to what we did for the KL-Singapore High-Speed Rail suspension last year,” he told the same press conference.
It was previously reported that Putrajaya had requested a six-month extension from Singapore before it made its final decision on the RTS project.
The 4km RTS train line was planned to link up the Bukit Chagar Station in Johor Bahru to the RTS Link Woodlands North Station in Singapore via a 25m-high bridge across the Straits of Johor.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke, who was present today, previously estimated the train line to cost RM4 billion.
Improving existing border crossings
Both premiers also agreed to address the serious traffic congestion experienced at the Johor Causeway and the Second Link bridge.
Mahathir said Malaysia will consider improving physical infrastructure, reviewing inter-boundary policies and improving cross border services.
Lee said Singapore will expand its present Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) services to accommodate more commuters, and especially motorcyclists.
“We have to expand the capacity of the CIQ on both sides to process the people who are crossing because the number is going to grow,” he said.
