JOHOR BARU: Johor has proposed developing a second Rapid Transit System (RTS2) link connecting Iskandar Puteri and Tuas to boost cross-border connectivity, as the Johor Baru-Woodlands RTS Link is slated to start service in early 2027.
Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the proposal was part of several presented to Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during a meeting at The Istana, Singapore, on Thursday (July 31).
"During the discussion, I shared updates on the progress of the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), including the establishment of the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre Johor (IMFC-J), which serves as the main investment facilitator and policy coordination platform.
"To date, Johor has received over 577 investment enquiries, with 70 investors showing serious interest, including 11 companies referred directly by Singapore’s investment agencies.
"In line with the royal decree of Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, I presented several strategic proposals, including a plan to connect Tuas and Iskandar Puteri via an RTS2 system," he said in a statement here on Facebook.
He added that Wong welcomed the progress of the JS-SEZ and expressed interest in exploring wider areas of cooperation, including energy, regional logistics, and labour market development.
“Singapore appreciates Johor’s continued efforts to ensure a fair and competitive labour market, and the Prime Minister was open to constructive discussion on the proposals presented,” he said.
Onn Hafiz said the meeting was a positive step forward in deepening Johor–Singapore ties and would benefit both sides in the long run.
“I am confident that this meeting marks a new chapter in bilateral relations.
"May all that was discussed be implemented effectively for the benefit of both countries,” he said.
Onn Hafiz said he also highlighted Johor’s strong economic performance in the first quarter of 2025, including RM30.1bil in total investments and a 6.4% Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, the highest among all Malaysian states.
“These achievements reflect Johor’s position as a stable and strategic investment destination,” he said.
