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Malaysia’s decision on RTS project to be announced on 31 October

JB-Singapore RTS Link suspension extended to April 2020

Malaysia has said that the decision to go ahead with the project will be announced within the next two weeks.

Malaysia’s Transport Minister Anthony Loke revealed the decision to go on with the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) project’s construction will be announced by the end of the month, reported Bernama.

“(During) the 2020 Budget, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng has expressed his intention to continue the construction of RTS,” he said.

“This is an indication of the government’s support for the project, but I cannot provide further details as it will be discussed and decided in the Cabinet within the next two weeks.”

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The RTS link project was initiated with the goal of addressing the traffic congestion on the Causeway. It will connect Woodlands in Singapore to Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru and is seen to serve 10,000 passengers every hour each way.

It was targeted for completion by 2024, but is currently behind schedule.

Loke said he would communicate with his Singaporean counterpart Khaw Boon Wan after getting the Cabinet’s approval, as the project involves the two countries.

“After that, we (the federal government) are confident that an official announcement will be made by the end of this month. We are committed to the 31 October deadline, so an official announcement can be made by that date,” he noted.

Singapore and Malaysia agreed last May to suspend the works for the RTS project until 30 September.

As part of the suspension, Malaysia agreed to pay Singapore for the abortive costs amounting to about S$600,000.

After a meeting between Khaw and Loke in Sepang, Selangor last month, the suspension was extended to 31 October at no added cost.

It was agreed that during the suspension, Malaysia was to determine if it intends to continue with the project as it is.

Malaysia can also suggest changes to the project’s scope, which Singapore is bound to consider.

 

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Victor Kang, Digital Content Specialist at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories, email victorkang@propertyguru.com.sg