Dewan Negara Approves Johor Bahru–Singapore RTS Link Bill Without Constitutional Amendment
KUALA LUMPUR — Dewan Negara Malaysia has approved the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link Johor Bahru–Singapore Bill 2026, paving the way for stronger legal coordination between Malaysia and Singapore in operating the cross-border rail project.
The bill was passed through a majority voice vote after being debated by several senators during the Dewan Negara sitting.
Deputy Home Minister Shamsul Anuar Nasarah clarified that the implementation of the law does not require amendments to the Federal Constitution of Malaysia.
He explained that the authority to enact such legislation is already provided under Article 73 and Item 1(g) of the Federal List in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.
These provisions grant Parliament the power to legislate on matters related to cross-border cooperation, including infrastructure and transport projects involving neighbouring countries.
“There is therefore no need to amend the Constitution in order to facilitate legal cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore in this project,” he said when concluding the debate on the bill.
Shamsul Anuar stressed that Malaysia’s sovereignty remains fully protected under the new legislation despite the cross-border operational arrangements.
He noted that powers granted to Singapore enforcement officers at the Bukit Chagar station are limited strictly to specific functions.
These include responsibilities related to customs, immigration and security within designated operational zones only.
The deputy minister emphasised that the authority granted to Singapore officers is confined to clearly defined areas and does not extend beyond their official duties.
He also explained that the immunity granted to Singapore enforcement officers under the law is limited to “functional immunity”.
This means that such protection applies only while the officers are performing official duties connected to the RTS operations.
If any officer commits a personal offence or criminal act, they may still be detained and prosecuted under Malaysian law.
At the same time, Malaysia and Singapore will operate under the principle of reciprocity in handling enforcement matters.
Under this principle, any Malaysian citizen detained by Singapore authorities in Singapore will be handed over to Malaysian authorities for further legal action where appropriate.
The Rapid Transit System Link Johor Bahru–Singapore Bill 2026 is structured into eight parts containing 28 clauses and one schedule.
Its primary objective is to establish a clear legal framework for the operation of the RTS service connecting Johor Bahru and Singapore.
The RTS system will adopt a single-clearance immigration concept where border procedures are conducted at one location.
This approach is expected to significantly shorten travel time between the two cities, with journeys projected to take only about five minutes.
The cross-border rail project is widely seen as a key initiative to enhance daily mobility between Malaysia and Singapore while supporting economic activity in the border region.
During the same sitting, the Dewan Negara also passed the International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation Bill 2025.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran said the legislation is intended to support Malaysia’s ratification of the Singapore Convention on Mediation, which the country signed in 2019.
According to him, the law will strengthen the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms that are increasingly adopted worldwide.
He explained that mediation-based settlements offer businesses and investors a faster and more efficient alternative to lengthy court proceedings.
The legislation is also expected to enhance Malaysia’s reputation as a preferred regional hub for dispute resolution in Asia.
The Dewan Negara sitting will resume on Monday to continue with the parliamentary agenda.
-wilayah.com.my
