Johor caretaker Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi and Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke publicly clashed over the timeline of the RM10 billion (S$3.1 billion) autonomous rapid transit (ART) system on June 16. The dispute, which occurred during a transit launch in Kulai, highlights a growing divide between federal and state authorities ahead of the July 11 Johor state election.
Why the ART project timeline is causing friction
The primary point of contention is a projected three- to four-year gap between the opening of the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link in 2027 and the potential completion of the ART system in 2030 or 2031. According to Onn Hafiz, the absence of a supporting dispersal system by the time the RTS Link begins operations could lead to severe traffic congestion in Johor Bahru. He pressed Loke for details on the letter of award for the project, noting that it was tabled to the Cabinet in 2024.
Loke stated that the ART project is being managed by the Public Private Partnership Unit under the Prime Minister’s Office, placing it outside his ministry’s direct tender process. He maintained that the project is a government initiative, not a matter for political credit or discredit. However, former transport minister Wee Ka Siong countered that the ministry cannot simply shift responsibility, arguing that such fragmentation creates a structural vulnerability where delays lack clear accountability.
What happens next for Johor’s transit infrastructure
The project’s future remains subject to the political climate following the July 11 state election. According to KRA Group strategic director Amir Fareed Rahim, the ART system risks becoming a “political football,” where factors like construction timelines and costs could be weaponized by competing parties. Observers noted that federal-state coordination regarding land, alignment, and approvals could deteriorate if political tensions persist.
Conversely, Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Oh Ei Sun characterized the dispute as election-season “politicking.” While he acknowledged the risk of delays—citing the abandoned Melaka Monorail project from 2010—he suggested neither side can afford a total failure. National University of Singapore lecturer Serina Rahman indicated that while Johor is likely to maintain support for the project through the end of the current king’s term in January 2029, federal-level cooperation may become increasingly difficult thereafter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the ART system considered essential for Johor Bahru?
State officials warn that the RTS Link, which connects Singapore and Johor Bahru, will cause significant congestion if a supporting dispersal system is not in place when it opens in 2027.
What is the status of the ART project’s development?
Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced federal approval for the project on May 17. The project is currently under evaluation by the Public Private Partnership Unit under the Prime Minister’s Office.
What is the “gentleman’s agreement” proposed by Anthony Loke?
Loke proposed that no federal project events be held in Johor during the campaign period, specifically from nomination day on June 27 until polling day on July 11, to separate the project from election campaigning.
Do you believe that political rivalries between federal and state governments will ultimately delay the completion of the ART system?
