ISKANDAR PUTERI – The change in government will not affect the course of the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link project, said Mass Rapid Transit Corp Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp).
Chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim said the project that received cabinet approval in 2019 was a government commitment that needed to be implemented.
“The first cabinet approval (for the project) was given in 2019. In 2020, there were further discussions in the cabinet.
“This project is a commitment from the government, as a country, we have to do it. The project is also halfway through with all the land already purchased,” he told reporters after the RTS and Impact on Johor Seminar at the University of Reading Malaysia, here, today.
Asked if the frequent flash floods in the city would delay the project’s progress, Zarif said it should not be affected because the project site is on high ground.
Regarding the development of RTS, he said the project has so far reached more than 20% completion and is running according to schedule, including construction of a depot located in Wadi Hana, here.
“Now it is being built (the depot), including the piling and foundation. From there, we will raise the building,” he said.
Zarif said the RTS project, which can reduce traffic congestion and shorten the Johor Baru-Singapore journey by about 15 minutes, is expected to bring economic spillover and investment to Johor.
“What is most important is that we want to encourage investment in terms of goods and services, thus encouraging foreign direct investment into Johor.
“It will also attract approximately 1,500 construction job opportunities, but from the overall impact in terms of supporting industries, hotels, logistics, and food, we are expecting the creation of about 30,000 jobs,” he said.
The RTS project is expected to be completed in December 2026 and fully operational on January 1, 2027.
MRT Corp is the developer and owner of the civil infrastructure for the Malaysian section of the rail project. – Bernama, December 9, 2022
