MALAYSIA and Singapore are working on an agreement on the suspension of the Rapid Transit System (RTS) project that will link Johor Baru and the island republic.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the attorneys-general of both countries are working out the terms of the suspension agreement.

“The RTS is not cancelled, but suspended for us to review the scope and cost to enable us to implement the project efficiently, and to also lower the ticket price.

“The fare to be charged is on the high side, and both countries have agreed that we have to lower it to encourage more people to use the RTS once it is ready.

“It’s not going to happen overnight. Even in the agreement, the RTS is only scheduled to be completed in 2024,” he told a joint press conference with his Singaporean counterpart Khaw Boon Wan at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport today.

Putrajaya has said it wants to study the cost of the project, which was estimated at RM4 billion, and to reduce it.

Loke said the suspension will involve some cost but he could not say exactly how much, explaining that the sum must be determined by a review.

Khaw said Singapore will approach the matter with “goodwill and reasonable accommodation” as it had with the suspension of the High-Speed Rail project.

Meanwhile, on a question about the drop of tourist arrivals from Singapore, which had hurt businesses in Johor, Loke said both governments are aware of the bad congestion that had discouraged visits.

“Both governments are trying to review the processes. It is not going to be easy as there are many technical issues involved.

“Malaysia has requested Singapore to increase its Woodlands-Johor Baru shuttle buses,” he added. – April 8, 2019.