Putrajaya requests six-month extension for RTS project with Singapore

Putrajaya has asked Singapore for a six-month extension of the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) link project, said Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

The extension, which would be until September this year, is meant for Putrajaya to figure out ways to reduce the cost of the project, he told media at Parliament lobby.

"We are asking more time from the Singaporean government for us to study other options.

"Of course we are looking at the cost of the project, (namely) how can we reduce the cost further and how can we utilise the project," he said.

He confirmed that the RTS project has been suspended.

On March 7, Singapore's Acting Transport Minister Vivian Balakrishnan was quoted by Today Online as saying the RTS project likely faced further hold-up as Malaysia repeatedly delayed confirming the joint-venture partner for RTS' operating arm.

He said the project was no longer on track to start operation by the original target of Dec 31, 2024.

In May 2018, Loke was reported as saying the cost of RTS was RM4 billion.

[More to follow] 

 - Mkini