‘Less waiting, less queueing': Johor commuters back RTS2 link to Singapore's Tuas
Singapore's CNA said the plan was welcomed by residents in areas such as Gelang Patah, Pontian and Kulai, who currently rely solely on buses to make the daily cross-border journey via the Tuas Second Link to Singapore.
At Gelang Patah bus terminal last Tuesday, CNA observed more than 100 people in line by 5am, with the first Causeway Link bus quickly filling to capacity and forcing most to wait for the next service.
'During morning rush hour, this is normal,' commuter Kevin Foh was quoted as saying.
'Sometimes we have to wait for two to three buses before we can board, if we are lucky.'
Foh, a Gelang Patah resident in his mid-30s who is employed in Singapore's retail sector, said the proposed RTS2 would cut his travel time.
'I will just take a taxi from my house to (the proposed RTS station in Iskandar Puteri) instead of this bus station and take the train over to Singapore. It will be much quicker — less waiting time, less queueing hopefully.'
Onn Hafiz announced the proposal on July 31 after meeting Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, saying it was in line with a decree by Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
He did not specify where stations would be located.
The first Johor-Singapore RTS Link, connecting Bukit Chagar in Johor Baru to Woodlands North, is scheduled to open in December 2026, with rail installation works 56 per cent complete as of June.
Bukit Chagar station is about 25km from Gelang Patah — a journey that can take up to two hours by bus during peak periods.
Analysts reportedly told CNA the RTS2 could improve travel for western Johor commuters and boost development in Iskandar Puteri, part of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone.
However, they reportedly said that last-mile connectivity in Tuas and Iskandar Puteri remains limited, and questioned whether passenger volumes would justify construction costs.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Insternity Group, Myint Mo Shyan, and MyanLife Partner with KBZ Foundation to Support Mandalay's Post-Earthquake Reconstruction with Modular Building Technology
TAIPEI, TAIWAN - Media OutReach Newswire - 14 August 2025 - In March of this year, a powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.7 struck the Mandalay region of Myanmar, causing severe casualties and widespread destruction. In response to this emergency, Singapore-based Insternity Group Pte Ltd swiftly partnered with local Myanmar enterprises Myint Mo Shyan and MyanLife to provide immediate relief through modular building technology. This joint initiative, executed in collaboration with the KBZ Foundation, fully demonstrates a firm commitment to social responsibility and long-term community support. Innovative Modular Housing: A Fast, High-Quality Solution for Reconstruction Insternity Group and Myint Mo Shyan have long been advocates for sustainable and socially impactful architecture. As Myanmar's only one-stop lifestyle platform combining e-commerce with food, travel, and other discount vouchers, MyanLife has a long history of dedication to philanthropy and is committed to enhancing local leisure experiences. Following the disaster, the three parties immediately launched their relief efforts. In Mandalay, the application of modular construction allowed for the rapid deployment of offices and residential units, which played a crucial role in restoring infrastructure and maintaining the continuity of services in the affected areas. In the initial phase, Insternity Group and Myint Mo Shyan constructed modular offices and dormitories for the KBZ Foundation to ensure uninterrupted operations. MyanLife, leveraging its extensive charitable experience, helped coordinate relief resources and assess community needs, ensuring that reconstruction efforts precisely addressed the actual needs of the affected population. These high-quality units feature durable structures, effective insulation, and ventilation systems, and are designed to be flexible for emergency or transitional needs. Financial Stability Supports Community Recovery The KBZ Foundation's new modular office facilities are now fully operational, with employee dormitories expected to be completed in the coming weeks. This development ensures the continued provision of essential financial services and economic support, highlighting the critical role of modular solutions in disaster resilience and sustainable reconstruction. Working Together to Rebuild Hope Saw Dino Ku, Managing Director of Myint Mo Shyan, said, 'When the earthquake struck Myanmar, I was determined to provide the fastest and most effective response for the victims. The concept of modular buildings, with their potential for significant impact, immediately came to mind. I immediately contacted the CEO of my partner, Insternity, and the MyanLife team to discuss the possibility of collaborating and donating for the earthquake relief efforts in Myanmar. We all saw the potential and decided to build and donate a 'modular building' for the KBZ Foundation's disaster response center in Mandalay. Why modular? Compared to traditional timber-framed construction, it offers faster construction time, potentially lower costs, and higher energy efficiency. We believe this unique approach to emergency relief can make a significant difference.' Barbie Tsai, CEO of Insternity Group, stated, 'In the face of tragedy, we must respond not only with speed but also with empathy. Our goal is to rebuild hope through construction—creating not just shelters but foundations for a new future. Together with our partners, we stand proudly with the people of Mandalay.' MyanLife also leveraged its long-standing charitable experience to serve as a community link, helping to integrate relief resources and assess the actual needs of affected communities to ensure that humanitarian aid provides maximum benefit. Later this year, MyanLife plans to launch more charitable initiatives to continue supporting vulnerable groups. Corporate Social Responsibility and a Sustainable Future This cross-national collaboration demonstrates the power of international cooperation and corporate compassion. The joint efforts of Insternity Group, Myint Mo Shyan, MyanLife, and the KBZ Foundation show how socially responsible business practices can play a key role in emergency recovery, community reconstruction, and building long-term resilience. By combining Singapore's expertise in architectural technology, Myanmar's local implementation capabilities, and MyanLife's deep-rooted philanthropic experience, this model of cooperation sets a new benchmark for future disaster response. Innovative Modular Housing: A Fast, High-Quality Solution for Reconstruction Insternity Group and Myint Mo Shyan have long been advocates for sustainable and socially impactful architecture. As Myanmar's only one-stop lifestyle platform combining e-commerce with food, travel, and other discount vouchers, MyanLife has a long history of dedication to philanthropy and is committed to enhancing local leisure experiences. Following the disaster, the three parties immediately launched their relief efforts. In Mandalay, the application of modular construction allowed for the rapid deployment of offices and residential units, which played a crucial role in restoring infrastructure and maintaining the continuity of services in the affected areas. In the initial phase, Insternity Group and Myint Mo Shyan constructed modular offices and dormitories for the KBZ Foundation to ensure uninterrupted operations. MyanLife, leveraging its extensive charitable experience, helped coordinate relief resources and assess community needs, ensuring that reconstruction efforts precisely addressed the actual needs of the affected population. These high-quality units feature durable structures, effective insulation, and ventilation systems, and are designed to be flexible for emergency or transitional needs. Financial Stability Supports Community Recovery The KBZ Foundation's new modular office facilities are now fully operational, with employee dormitories expected to be completed in the coming weeks. This development ensures the continued provision of essential financial services and economic support, highlighting the critical role of modular solutions in disaster resilience and sustainable reconstruction. Working Together to Rebuild Hope Saw Dino Ku, Managing Director of Myint Mo Shyan, said, 'When the earthquake struck Myanmar, I was determined to provide the fastest and most effective response for the victims. The concept of modular buildings, with their potential for significant impact, immediately came to mind. I immediately contacted the CEO of my partner, Insternity, and the MyanLife team to discuss the possibility of collaborating and donating for the earthquake relief efforts in Myanmar. We all saw the potential and decided to build and donate a 'modular building' for the KBZ Foundation's disaster response center in Mandalay. Why modular? Compared to traditional timber-framed construction, it offers faster construction time, potentially lower costs, and higher energy efficiency. We believe this unique approach to emergency relief can make a significant difference.' Barbie Tsai, CEO of Insternity Group, stated, 'In the face of tragedy, we must respond not only with speed but also with empathy. Our goal is to rebuild hope through construction—creating not just shelters but foundations for a new future. Together with our partners, we stand proudly with the people of Mandalay.' MyanLife also leveraged its long-standing charitable experience to serve as a community link, helping to integrate relief resources and assess the actual needs of affected communities to ensure that humanitarian aid provides maximum benefit. Later this year, MyanLife plans to launch more charitable initiatives to continue supporting vulnerable groups. Corporate Social Responsibility and a Sustainable Future This cross-national collaboration demonstrates the power of international cooperation and corporate compassion. The joint efforts of Insternity Group, Myint Mo Shyan, MyanLife, and the KBZ Foundation show how socially responsible business practices can play a key role in emergency recovery, community reconstruction, and building long-term resilience. By combining Singapore's expertise in architectural technology, Myanmar's local implementation capabilities, and MyanLife's deep-rooted philanthropic experience, this model of cooperation sets a new benchmark for future disaster response.
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
Agridence Transitions to Founder-Led Governance, Secures Global Investment to Accelerate Multi-Commodity Compliance Platform
SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 13 August 2025 - Agridence Pte. Ltd. ('Agridence'), a Singapore-based technology leader in digital agri-commodity supply chains, today announced a funding round led by Cercano Management and supported by returning strategic investors EXEO Innovation Fund and Provident. This will empower Agridence to rapidly scale its multi-commodity compliance platform to help its customers by tackling industry-wide challenges such as supply chain opacity, sustainability risks, and fragmented smallholder networks. CEO Gerald Tan, who led Agridence's development since its inception in 2018, has invested additional capital to solidify his position as founder and the single largest individual shareholder of the company. This transition from a corporate venture-built startup to a founder owned and led enterprise underscores Tan's commitment to delivering value to Agridence's customers. 'This funding marks a pivotal new chapter for Agridence. We are immensely grateful for the foundational support from our early corporate shareholders; their backing was instrumental during our startup phase and crucial in building the robust platform we have today. Now, as we mature, embracing a founder-led model is key to unlocking greater agility and neutrality. That's why this shift isn't just about capital; it's fundamentally about ownership alignment and direct accountability,' said Gerald Tan, CEO and Founder of Agridence. 'The modular traceability infrastructure we built for natural rubber is now powering compliance for palm oil, cocoa, and beyond, proving these challenges are universal across agri-commodities, and we are now better positioned than ever to solve them.' Why This Matters: Neutrality Meets Regulatory Urgency The shift to an independent, founder-led model provides better alignment and allows Agridence to address a critical industry need for a truly neutral technology platform that serves all stakeholders without corporate bias. 'Southeast Asia is a key source and integral region in the global agri-commodities supply chain. A platform like Agridence that applies technology while working with local stakeholders for a more transparent, sustainable, and responsible sourcing is imperative for the industry. With this additional capital and new model, we see immense potential in Agridence, especially so being independently led by a local founder who has an operating track record within the rubber sector and has a team with deep sector know-how and local knowledge,' said Yu Minjie, Managing Director at Cercano Management. From Niche to Multi-Commodity Expansion Agridence has evolved from its roots in digitizing physical natural rubber trades to delivering a comprehensive, multi-commodity platform for global MNCs and industry associations. Recent milestones include: --> Natural Rubber: The Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR), whose members represent about 50% of the global market, uses Agridence's reporting platform for annual sustainability data submissions. --> Palm Oil: Agridence powers the RSPO Certification, Trade and Traceability System (prisma), supporting RSPO Certified Palm Oil trades and Sustainable Palm Oil Credits. This initiative went live in February 2025, with nearly 20,000 users expected on the system. --> Coconut: As the technology partner for the Sustainable Coconut Partnership's SCP Links platform, Agridence is simplifying sustainability reporting, digitizing audits, and increasing transparency. --> Cocoa: The company is driving smallholder inclusion through mapping programs across Africa. Interest is also growing in coffee, cashew, sugarcane, and other sectors. The new funding will accelerate Agridence's go-to-market strategy, supporting entry into new commodity verticals and geographic markets through strategic partnerships and acquisitions. 'Our biggest differentiator is our team's deep and diverse agri-commodity background,' Gerald Tan added. 'Trust is everything in this business. By leveraging our relationships, domain expertise, and technology innovations, we deliver proven regulatory and risk frameworks that solve our customers' real pain points. We know the challenges because we've lived them and our partners trust us to solve them.' 'Agridence has proven its capability to scale across multiple commodities and has earned the trust of global corporates, MNCs and industry associations. With momentum building in new commodities and geographies, the company is poised for exciting growth. We are proud to back the Agridence team as they enter this next chapter and deliver measurable impact across global supply chains,' said Lim Swee Yong, CEO of EXEO Innovation Fund Management.
Malay Mail
4 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Penang DAP to file police report over ‘illegal' Umno Youth-led rally on upside-down flag controversy
GEORGE TOWN, Aug 14 — Penang DAP will lodge a police report against an allegedly illegal gathering organised by Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh in Kepala Batas this evening. Penang DAP chairman Steven Sim Chee Keong called on the police to take stern action against Dr Akmal for his clear defiance of police directive not to organise a rally over the upside-down flag issue. 'The rally by Akmal Saleh and his group is a violation of the law and a provocation that threatens public order,' he said in a statement issued today. He said the police should take action to send a signal that such acts of provocation will not be tolerated in this country, especially during Merdeka month which should promote unity, not division. Sim said Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail had urged all parties not to gather at Kepala Batas today, but they ignored it. 'As part of the state government, Penang DAP fully respected the police's directives and did not mobilise our members or supporters to take part in the gathering,' he said. He said only local representatives were present to distribute the Jalur Gemilang in conjunction with Merdeka celebrations to foster patriotism and strengthen unity. Earlier this evening, Dr Akmal led approximately 200 people in a 1.4km march to the hardware shop in Kepala Batas over the upside-down flag issue. Dr Akmal had reportedly claimed that they only wanted to send a clear message about respecting the Jalur Gemilang and that it cannot be hung upside down. Earlier today, Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail had advised for the gathering to be called off as it could threaten public safety and well-being. 'To safeguard the safety of the local community and to prevent any form of unhealthy confrontation between opposing groups, PDRM advises all parties involved to cancel the planned gathering,' he said. Some of the shops in the area shuttered early to avoid being caught in the gathering. There was also heavy police presence in the area to control the crowd. The controversy arose after the hardware store in Jalan Bertam Perdana recently went viral for flying the national flag upside down. The 59-year-old shop owner, who was arrested and investigated over the incident, reportedly said it was an unintentional mistake while measuring the flagpole and that he had corrected the mistake later. Following the controversy, DAP announced that it would sponsor a giant Jalur Gemilang for the shop and mobilised Penang party members to distribute 831 flags.
