Possible 3rd link to Singapore: Johor govt moots bridge to Pulau Ubin
KUALA LUMPUR/ISKANDAR PUTERI (Malaysia) — Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad confirmed on Thursday (Aug 30) that there is "some" plan to build a third link with Singapore.
A view of the Second Link between Malaysia and Singapore at Tuas.
KUALA LUMPUR/ISKANDAR PUTERI (Malaysia) — Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad confirmed on Thursday (Aug 30) that there is "some" plan to build a third link with Singapore.
Tun Mahathir was fielding questions from media in Kuala Lumpur following reports of the possibility of another link with the country's southern neighbour. He was quoted saying: "There is some plan in the offing... there is already some plan." No further details were given.
The Johor state government had earlier expressed interest in another link to Singapore, this time to be built on its eastern flank.
Johor Chief Minister Osman Sapian said the proposed route is from the Sungai Rengit area in Pengerang, Kota Tinggi district direct to Singapore's Pulau Ubin.
"Yesterday I had a discussion with several interested parties. From the discussion, there is likely to be a third link in eastern Johor that will link to Pulau Ubin in Singapore.
"It will be developed like the Second Link crossing," he said.
Datuk Osman said the state government, which is formed by Malaysia's ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition, will send a proposal to the federal government on the matter before further plans can be made.
Responding to TODAY's queries, a spokesperson from Singapore's Ministry of Transport said: "We have not received any official proposal or communications from Malaysia regarding a third link between Singapore and Malaysia."
Over the years, several groups — mainly local business associations and guilds — had called on the previous Barisan Nasional state government to look at having a third link from Johor to Singapore.
The proposal was due to increasing traffic on the Causeway in Johor Baru and on the Second Link crossing from Tuas to Gelang Patah.
In late 2016, the Transport Ministry had recommended the proposed construction of a third link from Pasir Gudang to Singapore's Changi Airport.
However, the proposal remained in the discussion stage and no specific development was followed up. AGENCIES
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