KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia will facilitate the sale of land needed by Singapore to redevelop the Woodlands Checkpoint, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today in stressing commitment to easing traffic congestion at both countries’ entry points.
This comes after Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the nation requires land via reclamation for the redevelopment.
“We can facilitate the sale, so Singapore can have the facility to make sure the flow is made more easy for both Malaysian workers travelling to Singapore, and Singaporeans coming to Johor – particularly during weekends,” Anwar told a press conference after the 10th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat in Singapore, today.
Lee, meanwhile, said Singapore had started to redevelop the Woodlands Checkpoint to increase its capacity and meet the expected long-term growth in cross-border traffic.
“I’m glad that (Anwar) welcomes and supports Singapore’s efforts,” Lee said.
Traffic volume at the Woodlands Checkpoint is expected to increase by 40% by 2050, it was previously reported.
Both leaders today also welcomed the progress made for the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link’s ongoing construction. The RTS will run from Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru to the Woodlands Checkpoint.
The RTS is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026, and both Anwar and Lee today reiterated that the link will mutually benefit both countries by alleviating congestion along the Causeway and strengthening connectivity. – October 30, 2023