PUTRAJAYA (May 31): The government is committed to the Johor Bahru-Singapore mass rapid transit (MRT) project, but will review its costs and terms and conditions, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

"The project will continue but we will review its terms and conditions, and the finance ministry will look at ways to reduce the costs," he told a press conference yesterday.

Loke refused to say if the decision to continue with the 4km rapid transit system (RTS) was made by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He was asked to comment on the status of the RTS particularly in light of the cancellation of the RM110 billion high-speed rail project between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, and the MRT line 3 in Kuala Lumpur.

The RTS, expected to commence operation by Dec 31, 2024, will connect Bukit Chagar in Johor with Woodlands in Singapore. The cost of the project had yet to be determined as it would depend on the rail alignment agreed to by a joint venture to be set up between Prasarana Malaysia Bhd and Singapore’s SMRT Corp Ltd, which would also jointly hold a 30-year concession period on the link.

On Jan 18, Singapore and Malaysia signed a bilateral agreement, signifying both nations’ commitment to the project. The agreement outlines the technical, safety and security requirements; commercial, financing, procurement and regulatory frameworks; and customs, immigration and quarantine arrangements.

The link over the Johor Straits will be able to carry up to 10,000 passengers per hour each way. Eventually, KTM Bhd’s Tebrau train service to the island republic will cease.

Calls for tenders for the rail project is expected this year.

On May 8, Damansara Realty Bhd said it is teaming with China State Construction Engineering (M) Sdn Bhd to bid for the project.

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on May 31, 2018.

For more stories, download EdgeProp.my pullout here for free.

SHARE
RELATED POSTS
  1. Loke says MOT taking note of views to improve KLIA after it was named among Asia’s worst airports
  2. Assessment of HSR proposals to focus on minimising govt’s financial input, says transport minister
  3. PEPS Malaysia inks MOU with Singapore Estate Agents Association for real estate knowledge exchange and networking opportunities