A cheque presentation ceremony was held on 19 April 2021 for the payment of compensation for land acquired for the Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link) between Johor Bahru and Singapore.

During the event which was held at Hotel Berjaya Waterfront, Johor Bahru, cheques with a total amount of RM135,026,217.79 were presented to seven landowners whose land were among those used for the construction of the RTS Link project.

The seven received the largest amounts of compensation out of a total of 46 private land owners whose lots were acquired for the project.

Presenting the cheques was Johor Lands and Mines Director Dato’ Haji Mohammed Ridha Bin Dato’ Haji Abd. Kadir. With him was Ir Zulkifli Mohamed, Project Director of the RTS Link Project. 

The land acquisition process based on Section 3(1) of the Land Acquisition Act 1960 began last year. 

The hearing process to determine the amount of compensation due to each land owner as well as other persons who had a right to be compensated was done over four days from 5 to 7 April 2021 and 19 April 2021. Thanks to the cooperation from all parties involved, the Forms G and H were issued within the same day.

The total land area acquired for the project is 97.88 hectares.

Based on the Land Acquisition Act 1960, the state authority has the power to acquire any land which is needed for any public purpose. 

The RTS Link will be a shuttle train service between Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru and Woodlands North in Singapore. Infrastructure works are expected to be completed in 2024, and will be followed by system works. The railway link is expected to be fully operational in December 2026.