Malaysian PM-PM Singapore Watch The Connectation Of The RTS Link Project

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim/ANTARA PHOTO/ROMMY PUJIANTO)

JAKARTA - Malaysian Prime Minister (PM) Anwar Ibrahim and Singaporean PM Lee Hsien Loong witnessed the completion of the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link project which will connect the two countries.

"Alhamdulillah, this morning PM Lee and I attended a landscape completion ceremony for the RTS Link project that connects Malaysia and Singapore," said PM Anwar as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, January 11.

This historic moment means, according to him, it is a step forward to complete the construction of the RTS Link which will be utilized by tens of thousands of people returning from Johor to Singapore.

During the ceremony, he said he and PM Lee also signed the project placard to be placed on the two main pillars of the RTS Link in the middle of the Tebrau Strait to symbolize the spirit of friendship and togetherness between the two countries.

RTS Link will connect Bukit Chagar Station in Johor Bahru with Woodlands North Station in Singapore.

He said the twin train lines along the approximately four kilometers are planned to be fully operational on December 31, 2026 and are expected to reduce traffic in the Johor Embankment by at least 35 percent with an estimated 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction.

According to him, the completion of the RTS Link will certainly continue to strengthen friendly relations between Malaysia and Singapore and continue to encourage economic growth and well-being between the two countries.

In addition to witnessing the completion of the RTS Link project connection, the two prime ministers also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the two countries seeking the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

The signing of the MoU, represented by Malaysian Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli and Singapore's Minister of Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong, occurred just two months after the 10th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders Settlement took place in October 2023.

Anwar said Malaysia and Singapore are the second largest trading partners for each country. In addition, Singapore is also the main source of direct foreign investment (FDI) and is the second largest foreign investor in Johor.

The MoU, according to him, will increase the flow of goods and cross-border humans between the two countries, as well as strengthen the business ecosystem in JS-SEZ to support investment.