M'sia to build S$789 million development in JB next to RTS Link station

Malaysia is set to build a RM2.6 billion (S$789 million) integrated development adjacent to the future RTS Link station connecting Johor Bahru (JB) to Singapore, according to Malaysia media.

Once completed, the 4.23-acre development, designed with mixed uses, such as residential, retail, hospitality, healthcare, and educational components in mind, will be seamlessly linked to JB's Bukit Chagar RTS (Rapid Transit System) station that connects to Woodlands North.

Multi-storey car park, mall, residences and more

The Bukit Chagar development is the subject of a public-private partnership between state-owned MRT Corp and Malaysian conglomerate Sunway, which was formalised in an agreement on Feb. 13.

One of its features will be a multi-storey car park with 1,550 car and 1,015 motorcycle bays, catering to cross-border commuters.

It will also include high-rise residences, a retail mall, an educational hub, a health and wellness centre, and a hospitality component to boost tourism and business travel, New Straits Times reported.

Construction on the development is set to begin in March 2025.

The first phase of the Bukit Chagar development, with the multi-storey park-and-ride facility, is set to open by Nov. 30, 2026.

"The Bukit Chagar development is a key pillar of Malaysia's strategy to enhance public transport connectivity, reduce congestion, and drive urban transformation," said Malaysia's transport minister Anthony Loke at the signing.

Sunway Group said in a Facebook post that the strategic partnership aims to transform JB into an international gateway city that contributes to the economic prosperity of Malaysia and Singapore.

Updates on RTS Link completion

Loke said at a media conference on Feb. 13 that the RTS Link is scheduled to be completed in December 2026 and start operating in early 2027, Bernama reported.

Loke shared that phase one of the RTS Link's railway infrastructure was completed by end-January 2025.

Loke added that external works on the RTS Link are expected to be completed by the end of 2025, while the Bukit Chagar station is scheduled for full completion by Feb. 28, 2026.

The RTS Link, a light-rail transit (LRT) service, is expected to be able to ferry up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction.

The project aims to ease the congestion between the Johor-Singapore land checkpoints.

At least 35 per cent of the human traffic at the Causeway will be absorbed by the RTS Link once it commences operations.

Trains will run from 6am to midnight at four-minute intervals during peak hours and 30-minute intervals during off-peak periods.

The journey is expected to take about five minutes each way.

Top image via MRT Corp/Facebook