Malaysia and Singapore to sign deal on rail travel to JB

MALAYSIA and Singapore are expected to sign a bilateral agreement for the Rapid Transit System (RTS) project in December, which will improve travel between the island republic and Johor.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan said several matters on the RTS were discussed during the 13th meeting of the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Minis- terial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia. According to the Singapore Straits Times, the service will start by Dec 31, 2024.

It was attended by Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Singapore Infrastructure and Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan and Singapore National Development Minister Lawrence Wong, and was held at a hotel here yesterday.

Abdul Rahman said that the meeting was fruitful as both sides now have a better understanding of the RTS link.

“There were several technical matters that both sides agreed on during the meeting, such as the concession payment for the RTS where 61% will go to Singapore and 39% to Malaysia.

“The reason behind Singapore getting a higher percentage is that the cost for them to build the RTS line is higher compared to Malaysia’s portion.

“The stations there will be built underground,” he added.

He said Malaysia asked to be a majority shareholder in the settingup of a joint operating company to design, build, finance, operate, maintain and renew the link’s operating assets, but Singapore’s representatives said they needed to discuss the matter with their agencies.

“Singapore also informed us that they would be upgrading the Woodlands Checkpoint to increase overall clearance capacity to ease congestion and enhance security.

“This will allow more KTM train trips between Singapore and Johor Baru, and we are also looking at providing better safety for pedestrians coming from both sides of the Causeway,” he said.