Johor Proposes Second RTS Link to Connect Iskandar Puteri and Tuas

The Johor state government has proposed the construction of a second Rapid Transit System (RTS2) to link Iskandar Puteri in Johor with Tuas in Singapore, in a move aimed at strengthening cross-border connectivity and economic integration.

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi presented the proposal during an official meeting in Singapore with Prime Minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong on Wednesday, according to reports by Malay Mail and Channel NewsAsia.

Onn Hafiz said the project aligns with the vision of the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, and complements existing bilateral cooperation, including the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). He added that the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre Johor (IMFC-J) is key in coordinating policies and attracting investors.

According to the Johor state government, the state has received more than 577 investment inquiries, with 70 showing serious interest. Eleven of these were referred by Singapore’s investment agency. Johor recorded RM30.1 billion in investments in the first quarter of 2025 and a 6.4% economic growth rate, the highest in Malaysia, figures that Onn Hafiz said reflect strong investor confidence.

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong expressed support for the JS-SEZ’s progress and indicated openness to studying the RTS2 proposal. He also welcomed expanded cooperation in energy, regional logistics, and other economic sectors, while acknowledging Johor’s efforts to maintain a fair and competitive labour market.

Analysts cited by Business Today said the RTS2 project, if approved, could take up to a decade to complete. They noted that property developers with projects in Iskandar and along the Second Link corridor, such as Sunway, UEM Sunrise, Eco World, and Mah Sing, could benefit from improved infrastructure and connectivity.

The planned RTS2 would complement the Johor Bahru–Woodlands RTS Link, which is scheduled to begin operations in December 2026. While the first RTS line is expected to reduce congestion on the Causeway, the proposed second link is aimed at easing traffic on the Second Link, currently used by an estimated 165,000 people daily.

If realised, the RTS2 could mark a new chapter in Johor–Singapore relations, offering long-term gains for cross-border mobility, trade, and regional economic growth.

Sources: Malay Mail, Channel NewsAsia, Business Today