The Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link has reached 90% completion, with Malaysia focusing on border security and system readiness now.
PETALING JAYA: The Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link has reached an advanced stage of development, with about 90% completion recorded as of April 30, according to Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution.
He said the government’s focus is now shifting towards ensuring full preparedness of the integrated border control system ahead of the project’s scheduled full operations on Dec 31.
“This includes not only infrastructure readiness but also security systems, technology integration, communications and human resource deployment.
“The RTS Link is not merely about physical infrastructure. We are also assessing the overall operational readiness of the system, including security, technology, communications and human resources,” he told reporters after a site visit to the RTS project in Bukit Chagar, Johor, today.
Saifuddin said that once operational, the RTS Link is expected to become the busiest land entry point in Malaysia, surpassing existing checkpoints among the country’s more than 120 land, sea and air entry points.
As such, he stressed that security, immigration control, threat detection and operational efficiency remain the ministry’s top priorities.
“For border control, these four elements must be at the highest level from day one of operations,” he said.
On security infrastructure, Saifuddin said the facility will be equipped with 18 baggage scanners, 22 body scanners and 10 walkthrough millimetre-wave scanners, which are currently being installed and tested.
He said the systems will be integrated with an Auto Threat Detection system to ensure faster and more accurate screening without disrupting passenger flow.
“We are using technology to ensure the smooth movement of passengers, but at the same time, we cannot compromise on security enforcement,” he said.
He added that the RTS Link represents a major shift from conventional immigration processes, which previously required manual passport checks.
“Now we are transitioning to 220 e-gates, all of which have been installed. The next step is system integration using the MyNIISe platform,” he said.
Saifuddin added that the integration phase is expected to begin in mid-June, followed by dry runs and phased testing, while server deployment will also be carried out to complete system readiness before full operations begin.
He said the MyNIISe system will replace the long-used MyIMMs platform, which has been in operation for decades.
Acknowledging previous system disruptions, he said transitional glitches are expected but will be minimised through close monitoring and mitigation measures.
“Disruptions may still happen in the near term. Our commitment is to minimise them. That is the more realistic position.
“I cannot guarantee that while MyNIISe is operating, there will be zero disruptions. That is impossible. This is a legacy system we are replacing, which is why we are opening a new chapter.
“So I ask for understanding and patience as we implement this system in the near future.”
He added that vendors have been instructed to adopt a “pre-mortem” approach in system development by identifying potential failures in advance and preparing mitigation plans before issues arise.
The RTS Link, which connects Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru and Woodlands North in Singapore via a 4km rail system, is expected to carry up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction, with a travel time of just six minutes.
The project is widely seen as transformative for cross-border connectivity between Malaysia and Singapore and is expected to significantly ease congestion at the Johor–Singapore Causeway once operational.
