The Dewan Rakyat has passed the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link Bill 2026, paving the way for a strengthened legal framework to regulate cross-border rail operations between Malaysia and Singapore.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the legislation rests on three core pillars — reinforcing the legal structure, complementing existing laws, and protecting national sovereignty and security interests.
Under the new framework, the RTS Link will adopt a single clearance system at one location, a move expected to cut travel time between Johor Bahru and Singapore to approximately five minutes. The government will also install 100 Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered e-gates to facilitate smoother passenger processing, with clearance time targeted at no more than seven seconds per traveller.
Addressing concerns over data protection, Shamsul Anuar assured the House that all sensitive information, including biometric data, will be stored in a data centre fully regulated by the Malaysian government. He stressed that Singaporean authorities will not have access to the facility.
The bill further provides legal immunity for Malaysian enforcement officers performing official duties in Singapore. These officers will not be subject to prosecution in Singaporean courts for actions carried out in the course of their work. He noted that the reciprocal arrangement requires Singapore to amend its domestic laws to extend similar protections to Malaysian personnel before the Act comes into force.
The legislation is slated to take effect on September 30 this year. It was passed by a majority voice vote after debate by 12 Members of Parliament. The Dewan Rakyat will reconvene on February 23.
