JOHOR BARU: Johor business groups have welcomed the commitment made by both Malaysia and Singapore to work closely to improve cross-border travel between both countries.
Johor Indian Business Association president P. Sivakumar said enhancing cross-border travel via the Causeway and Second Link would make the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) more attractive to foreign investors.
“The Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link connecting Bukit Chagar here and Woodlands North in the island republic will be a game changer for cross-border travel between Malaysia and Singapore.
“But the RTS will only be operational in 2027, and despite recent improvements to ease cross-border travel, such as using QR codes for immigration clearance on both sides, our land checkpoints with Singapore are always congested,” he said when contacted here yesterday.
Sivakumar added that increasing the number of buses and taxis for cross-border travel would provide more options.
Still, he said the focus should be on speeding up clearance at checkpoints in both Malaysia and Singapore.
“With faster cross-border travel at the two checkpoints, it will help attract more investment into JS-SEZ, which is already showing its potential with many foreign companies setting up businesses here.
“We can see that under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia’s relationship with Singapore is very close, and it shows how the two countries working closely is benefiting their people,” he said.
Meanwhile, South Johor SME Association adviser Teh Kee Sin said that, as Malaysia and Singapore are close neighbours, strong connectivity is crucial to both their economies.
“With the RTS in place very soon, a faster immigration clearance process is essential.
“A one-stop checkpoint is particularly important, as any delay can affect the business community.
“The RTS will bring in more visitors to Johor Baru city area, and there is a dire need to improve the integrated cross-border network otherwise it would be a failure on our side.”
Teh added that improving cross-border travel is not only for convenience but also fundamental to realising the objective of the JS-SEZ, which can help improve Johor’s economy while attracting more direct foreign investment.
