MCA: Govt must be clear on whether it will proceed with RTS project

JOHOR BARU: The government must be clear as to whether it will proceed with the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) project or pay the RM200mil compensation, says MCA.

Its international communication and diplomacy bureau head Tee Ching Seng said only 72 hours remain until the Sept 30 deadline expires, adding that the question remains unanswered by the government.

He said that Transport Minister Anthony Loke should be aware of the situation.

In May, Malaysia requested for a postponement of the project until Sept 30.

It hoped to find new ways to reduce the cost of the RTS, including getting the private sector to fund and operate it.

Dr Tee said that Loke has remained nonchalant even though he has emphasised many times that the RTS project would be continued and even told the people to await good news.

"Where is this good news that he has heralded? Does he (Loke) intend to pay the RM200mil compensation and turn a blind eye to the ever-congested Johor-Singapore Causeway," he questioned.

Dr Tee added that it was plausible that the Pakatan Harapan government would rather pay the RM200mil compensation fee than to continue with this beneficial project.

Dr Tee said that at the first meeting of the Special Committee on Congestion at the Johor Causeway chaired by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, he approved four measures to alleviate congestion.

Dr Tee said these measures were to widen and extend the Causeway, build a covered pedestrian walkway by setting up a shipping lane, and expanding the existing entry points.

"The RTS was not mentioned. The people have been patient for the last 15 months and paid a RM2mil suspension fee for the Transport Ministry to study the project's scope, framework, and funding," he added.

Dr Tee said that if Loke was still unable to produce any results and unable to restart the RTS work, it would be a great disservice to the people's hopes and aspirations.

He added that the government must stop lagging behind and instead adopt the quickest and most efficient way to alleviate the congestion on the Johor-Singapore Causeway.

Dr Tee also said that the government should study how to improve the infrastructure at the country's borders and scrutinise every detail concerning border-crossing, such as the regulations, services provided and make new initiatives to benefit the people who cross the border every day.

"Each day, there are over 300,000 people who work abroad in Singapore, including as many as 250,000 Malaysians; thus, implementing effective methods would surely help these people save time and bring about meaningful improvements to their health and well-being," he said in a statement Friday (Sept 27).

The agreement for the RTS project covers 4km of rail between Bukit Chagar, Johor Baru and Woodlands, Singapore.

It was signed between Malaysia and Singapore on Jan 16 last year and slated for completion by Dec 31,2024.

However, in May, Dr Mahathir said that a six-month study would be carried out on the project to determine if it was indeed beneficial.

On May 21, Malaysia and Singapore signed a supplemental agreement to suspend the project until Sept 30.

The Star had previously reported that many people were anxious about the final outcome.

Presently, traffic snarls at the Johor Causeway and Second Link are worsening, especially with the increasing volume of vehicles using both links, and during weekends and public holidays.

More than 367,000 people use the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex (CIQ) daily, with 254,000 people using the Johor Baru side, while 113,000 people use the Second Link.