Third bridge needed to ease congestion between Johor and Singapore: Malaysian Minister Muhyiddin
Malaysia's Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said on Monday (Nov 25) there was a need to build a third link to ease traffic congestion between Johor and Singapore.
He told the Johor state assembly that he had already informed the federal government about the link, which could take the form of a bridge or a tunnel, reported national news agency Bernama.
~Straits Times~
‘Congestion is at its peak’
View of the causeway linking Singapore to Johor.
ISKANDAR PUTERI: A third bridge linking Singapore and Johor will resolve congestion problems at both the Causeway and Second Link here.
Gambir assemblyman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Pagoh MP and Home Minister, said the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) at both Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) and Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar (KSAB) were already reaching their maximum capabilities.
He said he had been appointed by the Federal Government to head a committee to oversee the congestion at both checkpoints.
“The two premises have already reached their maximum level of capacity.
“The congestion at the BSI in Johor Baru is the most congested CIQ in the world, and this is something we should not be proud of, ” he said during the debate on Johor’s Budget 2020 yesterday.
Muhyiddin said he had informed the Federal Government an important factor to solve congestions at the two checkpoints was to build a third bridge.
“If the state government supports this, then I will start the initiative to have a third bridge, which must begin now.
“The third link does not have to be in the form of a bridge as it can also be a tunnel, ” he said, adding that Tebrau Straits was a good location as the area was viable.
However, he added that a study must be done before work starts.
Meanwhile, the state government will send an official suggestion to Putrajaya to consider the development of a third bridge to ease congestion at the two checkpoints.
State public works, infrastructure and transportation committee chairman Mohd Solihan Badri said the technical committee had discussed on how to improve the facility at BSI and KSAB.
“The Federal Government has allocated RM85mil next year to address congestion at the Causeway and Second Link in the 2020 budget, where RM45mil will go towards the improvement works at BSI while RM40mil will be channelled to KSAB.
“Both CIQs, especially BSI that was built in 2003, will reach its maximum capacity by 2020, ” he said.
~The Star~
Police warn about online ticket scams for Universal Studios Singapore, other attractions
The police on Friday (Nov 22) urged people to be wary when making hotel room reservations and buying attraction tickets online.
"With the upcoming December school holidays, the police would like to remind the public to be wary when making online purchases, especially those involving hotel room reservations and attraction tickets," said the Singapore Police Force in an advisory.
Between January and September, the police received more than 197 reports of such e-commerce scams.
"In terms of attraction tickets, USS (Universal Studios Singapore) tickets were often highlighted. Victims either did not receive the tickets or received invalid tickets after payments were made," said the police.
The authorities advised members of the public not to be impulsive and to be wary of online advertisements promising cheap prices for attraction tickets or hotel reservations. People should read the seller's reviews before making a purchase, they added.
The police also warned that some scammers could use local bank accounts or provide copies of a NRIC or driver's licence to pretend to be genuine sellers.
Members of the public should also avoid making payments or deposits in advance, and to make use of platforms that release payment only upon receipt of the item. They should also arrange to meet a seller and pay only after collecting the item.
"Bear in mind that tickets may be invalid upon entry as they are duplicated tickets," said the police. "You are therefore advised to purchase only from authorised sellers."
Source: CNA/nc(mi)
No visa required for Hong Kong passport holders to enter Singapore, ICA clarifies
Hong Kong passport holders do not need a visa to enter Singapore, contrary to rumours circulating online, Singapore authorities clarified on Thursday (Nov 21).
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said it is aware of false information circulating on WhatsApp chat groups and social media platforms that Hong Kong passport holders are required to apply for visas before entering Singapore.
The visa requirement only applies to Document of Identity holders in Hong Kong, ICA said.
The Document of Identity is a travel document issued to Hong Kong residents who are unable to obtain a passport.
“There is no change to the existing visa policy for both Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passport and Document of Identity holders,” ICA said.
“We urge the public not to spread such rumours.”
Singapore's Consulate-General in Hong Kong issued a similar statement on its Facebook page on Monday, saying there has been no change to the country's visa-free policy for Hong Kong passport holders.
Hong Kong has suffered nearly six months of increasingly violent protests and unrest that began over a now-shelved Bill to allow extraditions to China, which revived fears that Beijing was slicing into the city's freedoms.
China has blamed foreign powers, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, of stirring up trouble in the former British colony.
ICA’s comments came a day after it was reported that a Hong Kong restaurant owner had been repatriated and banned from Singapore after he organised a public assembly without a permit.
Mr Alex Yeung, who is known for his anti-protest videos on YouTube, is said to have organised a gathering on Oct 11 "for interested persons to share their views on the current protests in Hong Kong".
Source: CNA/ec(cy)
Ferry services between Singapore and Kukup to be launched if PH wins Tanjung Piai by-election: Muhyiddin
Malaysian Minister for Home Affairs Muhyiddin Yassin speaking at Kukup during Pakatan Harapan's campaign rally for the Tanjung Piai by-election. (Photo: Fadza Ishak)
Plans are under way to launch ferry services between Singapore and the town of Kukup on the southwestern tip of Johor if Pakatan Harapan wins the Tanjung Piai by-election, Malaysia's Minister of Home Affairs Muhyiddin Yassin said on Wednesday (Nov 13).
Speaking at Pakatan Harapan's rally for the Tanjung Piai by-election, Mr Muhyiddin said that the services would help transport tourists from Tuas in Singapore to Kukup more efficiently, and bring in more tourism dollars for the area.
"I've heard a few locals here asking why are there are no ferry services between Kukup and Tuas in Singapore, because many Singaporeans love to visit Kukup to eat seafood and enjoy the many activities in the area," said Mr Muhyiddin.
"I've asked the (Johor) chief minister if this was feasible, he said to me just now, god willing, yes. So if we win, we will ensure that ferry services between Singapore and Kukup are implemented as soon as possible," he added, drawing loud applause from the crowd.
Plans to boost tourism in Kukup has recently gained momentum, with campaigning for the Tanjung Piai parliamentary by-election intensifying before voting on Saturday.
The six-cornered battle is tightly contested between front-runners Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Mr Karmaine Sardini and Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Dr Wee Jeck Seng, alongside other candidates Ms Wendy Subramaniam from Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia, Dr Badhrulhisham Abdul Aziz of Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia as well as independent candidates Dr Ang Chuan Lock and Ms Faridah Aryani Abdul Ghaffar.
Kukup, in Tanjung Piai, is a popular tourist destination for Singaporeans. Many of the tourists enjoy visiting Kukup's fishing village, exploring mangrove wetlands at the Pulau Kukup - Johor National Park and shopping for local products such as salted fish and belachan.
Mr Muhyiddin pointed out that these efforts to improve tourism accessibility to Tanjung Piai would create more jobs in the area for younger residents, so that they would not have to travel far to earn money for their family.
He also lauded the recent re-launch of ferry services between Kukup and Indonesia's Tanjung Balai. The ferries operate between Tanjung Balai in the Riau Islands and Kukup International Ferry Terminal, and would attract more visitors to the area, he said.
Besides improving tourism prospects for Tanjung Piai, Mr Muhyiddin also announced other goodies for the residents of Tanjung Piai if PH candidate Mr Karmaine wins the by-election.
He said that the federal government would also work to improve Internet connectivity in the area and assist fishermen who are facing "well-documented problems" in Kukup.
~Channel News Asia~
Malaysia continues RTS project with a new cost of RM3.16 bil
JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 31 -- Malaysia has agreed to continue with the Rapid Transit System (RTS) route with a new cost of RM3.16 billion.
Announcing the matter, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the latest cost resulted in a savings of 36 per cent or RM1.77 billion compared with the original cost of RM4.93 billion.
"We will go ahead with the project and solve a little bit on the issue of traffic congestion.
"Details of the project would be discussed with the Singapore government,” said Dr Mahathir at a media conference, here today.
On Oct 18, the Malaysian Transport Ministry had received cabinet approval to continue with the RTS route project with changes to the structure, scope and specification of the route.
Also present at the media conference were Home Affairs Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin; Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali; Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng; Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook; Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Dr. Sahruddin Jamal and State Secretary Datuk Azmi Rohani as well as the state government leadership lineup.
With the announcement to proceed with the RTS project, it proved Malaysia’s commitment with Singapore, said Dr Mahathir.
“We will stick to our promise. (The RTS project) was temporarily postponed, now we are ready and we will build (RTS).
“The story saying that we want to postpone for another six months...that is the story by the newspapers,” the Prime Minister said.
Meanwhile, in a separate media conference, Loke said an important element in the RTS project structure which had been reviewed by his staff was the involvement of the developer or landowner of Bukit Chagar to finance and enable the project to proceed with the land cost being exempted.
“Merged with the construction cost and optimised rail system, the government managed to achieve significant savings thus enabling it to be financially viable,” he added.
He said that for implementation of the project, Prasarana Malaysia Bhd (PMB) would continue to remain as the Malaysian representative in the joint-venture company operating the train (JV OpCo) and also given the mandate to discuss with the company operating the Singapore railway, SMRT to finalise terms in the Joint Venture Agreement.
Meanwhile, on the question of when both parties would sign the new agreement so that construction work on the project could be initiated immediately, Loke said it was expected to be done early next year.
“We can’t expect that we make a decision today, we can go in tomorrow.
“There is a process that we need to make in terms of amending the bilateral agreement and there are also a few more agreements that we need to sign.
”One is the joint venture agreement and also the construction agreement between Prasarana and SMRT (the operating company for the Singapore train). So all together, there are three agreements that we need to sign with the Singapore government including the amended bilateral agreement,” he added.
Meanwhile, Singapore has welcomed Malaysia’s decision to proceed with the project.
"Both sides are now discussing the changes to the project, which Malaysia is proposing in order to reduce the project cost," the republic's Ministry of Transport said in a statement.
The ministry said as the changes will require amendments to the RTS Link Agreement, the discussions will take some time.
"Both sides are working hard on this," it said.
-- BERNAMA
