A MAJOR mixed-use development worth RM2.6 billion (approximately US$582 million) is set to be integrated with Johor Bahru's Bukit Chagar Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link station, offering retail, residential, and hospitality spaces, as well as a car park.
The ambitious project, which is part of a public-private partnership between Malaysia's Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp) and local conglomerate Sunway Group, was officially announced on Thursday, with a strategic partnership agreement signed between the two entities.
The development will span 1.71 hectares (17,100 sq m) and will be strategically located next to the Bukit Chagar RTS Link station and Johor Bahru’s immigration complex. It is the first of its kind in Johor and aims to provide seamless connectivity to various transportation services in the region, including the KTM electric train service, city buses, and a future intra-city rail network.
The mixed-use complex is expected to be built over the course of eight years, with construction set to begin next month.
The project will feature a multi-storey car park with 1,550 car parking spaces and over 1,000 motorcycle parking spaces. The first phase of the car park, along with around 850 car lots and motorcycle spaces, is slated for completion by November 30, 2026, just in time for the start of the RTS Link operations by the end of 2026.
In addition to the car park, the development will include serviced apartments, retail outlets, a hotel, and other amenities such as educational facilities and a health and wellness hub. These facilities are expected to be ready by the first quarter of 2033.
However, the specific number of apartments, retail spaces, and hotel rooms has not yet been disclosed.
This integrated development will also aim to ease traffic congestion at the Causeway, one of the busiest border crossings in the world, by facilitating the transport of up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction.
The RTS Link, which will reduce the travel time between Johor Bahru and Singapore to just 15 minutes, compared to the current 1.5 hours during peak periods, is expected to significantly improve cross-border travel efficiency.
The development plans for Bukit Chagar station were initially announced in 2023, with MRT Corp signing a deal with Hong Kong-based property developer MTR Corp.
However, details regarding why this agreement did not come to fruition were not provided at the recent signing event.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke highlighted the significance of the new partnership with Sunway Group, emphasising that it would "showcase to the world what a Malaysian developer can do." He also described the collaboration as a long-term, viable model that integrates rail and property development.
The RTS Link project is progressing steadily, with over 80% of the civil infrastructure completed on the Singapore side, and 93% of the works in Malaysia finished.
The Malaysian infrastructure includes the Bukit Chagar Station, maintenance depot, as well as both terrestrial and marine viaducts.
The RTS Link, which connects Johor’s Wadi Hana Depot to Singapore’s Woodlands North station, is on track to be completed and operational by the end of 2026, marking a significant milestone in improving cross-border transportation between Malaysia and Singapore.
This development is part of a broader effort to enhance connectivity in Johor Bahru and ease congestion, benefiting commuters and boosting the local economy. – February 13, 2025
