KDN : PP19356/08/2018(034949) | Singapore MICA : MCI (P) 079/12/2019
the
Iskandar Malaysia’s Official Newspaper is an effort by True Soul Media PLT & Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA)
ISSUE 97
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SEPT 2020
Crucial Data for an Equally Crucial Strategising
Fire and Rescue Department Strengthen its Air Division Page 4
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Monthly Drill
Accumulating Wealth Opportunities in the Bubbles
Page 17
with Jarod Chia Lik Ming, Chairman of MyBHA
Page 14
Page 5
Malaysia and Singapore on Board with New Rapid Transit System (RTS) Agreement The Johor Bahru – Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link project is officially resuming
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ingapore and Malaysia held a ceremony at the Causeway to mark the official resumption of the Johor Bahru – Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link Project on 30th July 2020. Witnessed by the Prime Ministers of Singapore and Malaysia, Lee Hsien Loong and Tan Sri Dato’ Haji Muhyiddin bin Haji Mohd Yassin, the symbolic ceremony marked the resumption of the project with Singapore’s
Minister for Transport, Ong Ye Kung and Malaysia’s Minister of Transport Datuk Seri Ir. Dr. Wee Ka Siong. The ceremony was also attended by Singapore Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and former Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport, Khaw Boon Wan, on the Singapore side; and Senior Minister and Minister of International Trade and Industry Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin bin Tun Hussein and Menteri Besar of Johor Datuk Ir. Haji Hasni bin Mohammad, on the Malaysia side. Officials from Singapore and Malaysia remained on their respective sides of the Causeway
All smiles, making historic moment in between Malaysia Prime Minister, Muhyiddin Yassin and Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong at the Causeway bridge
Johor Offers Free Bus Service
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s the borders bet ween Singapore and Johor Bahru partially resumed, the Johor Public Transport Corporation (PAJ) has started to provide free bus shuttle service since 20th of August 2020 under the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and Periodic Commuting Arrangement www.facebook.com/theiskandarian
during the ceremony to maintain their social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Suspended on the 1st April 2019, both sides have discussed and agreed on three key changes. First, the RTS Link will be a standalone Light Rail Transit (LRT) System, instead of leveraging the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system and the capacity remains unchanged at up to 10,000 passengers per hour per direction. Second, the RTS Link will no longer use the existing TEL Mandai Depot and a new depot will be constructed in Wadi Hana, Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Third, each Government separately appointed an infrastructure company (InfraCo) to fund, build, own, maintain and renew the civil infrastructure and stations in its territory up to the international boundary. Malaysia has changed its InfraCo from Prasarana Malaysia Berhad to Malaysia Rapid Transit System Sdn. Bhd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn. Bhd. The Land Transport Authority of Singapore remains as Singapore’s InfraCo. Arising from the suspension of the project and the above
(PCA) schemes. According to State Public Works, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman Mohd Solihan Badri, the buses are allowed to pick up and drop off passengers at the Woodlands checkpoint in Singapore but it is necessary for the buses to make a U-turn at the ICA in Woodlands. Reports shows that as there are no public transport or shuttle buses plying the 1km-long Causeway, those without their own private vehicles has to travel on foot with some seen carrying large pieces of luggage. The PCA allows Singapore and @theISKANDARIAN
Malaysia and Singapore officials led by both Prime Ministers and Transport Ministers Wee Ka Siong and Ong Ye Kung at the Causeway to mark the official resumption of the RTS Link project. Also present was former Singapore Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan changes, the targeted passenger service commencement date will be deferred from end 2024 to end 2026. The three key agreements necessary to resume the RTS Link Project have been successfully concluded. An agreement to amend the RTS Link Bilateral Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Singapore and the Government of Malaysia, a Joint Venture Agreement between Singapore’s SMRT RTS Pte. Ltd., and Malaysia’s Prasarana RTS Operations Sdn. Bhd. to constitute RTS Operations Pte. Ltd.; and a Concession
Malaysia citizens or permanent residents who hold long-term immigration passes for business and work purposes in the other country to enter that country for work. Meanwhile, the RGL is for Malaysia and Singapore residents keen to do shorter-term travel of up to 14 days, for essential business and official purposes. In a statement, PAJ said that the free hourly bus services will be available from 7.30am to 6.30pm daily, and commuters are advised to comply with standard operating procedures set by Malaysia’s Ministry of Health when using the services. Since the partial reopening, traffic has
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Agreement for the Government of Malaysia and the Land Transport Authority of Singapore to appoint RTS Operations Pte. Ltd. as the OpCo for the first 30-year concession period. The successful resumption of the RTS Link Project underscores the deep and enduring bilateral relationship between both countries, and the collective desire to strengthen partnership. The completed RTS Link will ease Causeway congestion, improve connectivity, foster people-topeople ties and generate shared economic and social benefits. - by Norfy Shafeq TI
been smooth across both the causeways. - by Priya Manikam TI
Travellers seen with their luggage (Pic credit Exco Solihan Badri) www.theiskandarian.com