CONSTRUCTION of the Rapid Transit System link connecting Bukit Chagar, Johor, and Woodlands North, Singapore, will proceed as planned, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

“The government has agreed to continue the RTS.

“Of course, we will review the agreement. We want to review the terms and conditions,” he told reporters in Putrajaya today.

He said the Finance Ministry will look into ways to reduce the project’s cost.

“But, we are committed to continuing with the project.”

Work on the RTS is scheduled to begin next year, and the link is expected to start operations in 2024. It will reduce traffic congestion by up to 15%.

The RTS will carry 10,000 passengers per hour per direction (pphpd), or 72,000 passengers daily.

This translates to an additional 60,000 commuters crossing the Causeway during peak hours, compared with the current average of 300 pphpd.

Meanwhile, Loke maintained the government’s stand that scrapping the third mass rapid transit line (MRT3) project would not be costly due to “minimal initial work” done. 

“As far as we have been briefed, the cost is very minimal. I don’t have the details right now. But the cabinet has made the decision to cancel MRT3, as announced by the prime minister this morning.” 

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mahathir today said the government would discontinue the RM40 billion project, which was to span 40km from Ampang Jaya to Sentul in Kuala Lumpur. Passed under Budget 2018 under Najib Razak’s administration, operations of MRT3 was to begin in 2025. 

Meanwhile, Loke said the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high speed rail (HSR) project would remain cancelled “subject to negotiations with the government of Singapore”.

Loke brushed off queries on his previous comment that he was not aware of any discussion before Dr Mahathir’s announcement of the cancellation yesterday.  

“As you know (the content of the) cabinet meeting (this morning) cannot be revealed. Whatever transpired in the cabinet is officially secret. I cannot tell you what transpired. I can only tell you the decision by the government.”

The 350km-long HSR would have cost RM110 billion. Cancellation penalties will cost Malaysia RM500 million, Dr Mahathir had said. – May 30, 2018.