Report soon on new link between Johor and Singapore

The Star 2 Sep 12;

SINGAPORE: Consultants will be tabling a comprehensive report in the coming months on whether it is viable to build a bridge or an underground tunnel linking the republic and Malaysia.

This follows an announcement by Singapore that its Thomson mass rapid transit (MRT) line would be opened in stages from 2019.

The 30km line will run through the north-south corridor of the island republic, starting in Woodlands, the area closest to Johor Baru via the Causeway, and passing through industrial, residential and shopping districts before ending at Marina Bay. The whole S$18bil (RM44bil) line will be completely underground and is expected to serve 400,000 commuters daily.

“Now that Singapore has announced its Thomson line would be opened in stages, it shows both sides are doing something,” said Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore Datuk Md Hussin Nayan, when met at the commission's Merdeka event on Friday.

Present were the republic's Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew and two MPs.

On another issue, Md Hussin said the Johor Premium Outlet (JPO) and the soon-to-be-open Legoland Malaysia were creating a lot of buzz for tourism in Iskandar Malaysia.

Md Hussin said over RM100bil was expected to pour into Iskandar Malaysia by the end of the year and agencies such as the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) have to ensure things are efficient, safe and clean for visitors.

Md Hussin added that Malaysia and Singapore were also undertaking commercially viable projects in Iskandar Malaysia and several parcels of land in Marina South and the Ophir-Rochor area in the republic.