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Johor Menteri Besar urges federal government to speed up E-ART project
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Energy & Infrastructure

Johor Menteri Besar urges federal government to speed up E-ART project

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Johor's Menteri Besar urges the federal government to expedite the E-ART project, a key solution for traffic congestion in Johor Bahru.
  • Current traffic mitigation measures are short-term, and the E-ART project, approved by the cabinet in 2024, has yet to begin physical work.
  • The state government and residents await a timeline for the high-impact project, which is crucial for managing traffic once the RTS Link begins operations.

Johor's Menteri Besar, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, is pressing the federal government to accelerate the Elevated Automated Rapid Transit (E-ART) project, identifying it as the primary solution to alleviate traffic congestion in Johor Bahru once the Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link) commences operations next year. Ghazi stated that current traffic management efforts, including expanding 'Park & Ride' facilities and implementing smart traffic control, are merely short-term fixes.

He emphasized that the E-ART project, which received cabinet approval in 2024, has not yet seen any physical construction begin. "The question now is, when will this project start? Johor residents are wondering, when can we do a site visit together for this project? As far as I understand, the 'Letter of Award' has not yet been issued," Ghazi remarked during the Southern Shuttle Service Operations Launch.

The question now is, when will this project start? Johor residents are wondering, when can we do a site visit together for this project? As far as I understand, ‘Letter of Award’ still has not been issued.

— Datuk Onn Hafiz GhaziMenteri Besar of Johor, urging the federal government to expedite the E-ART project.

Ghazi highlighted that the E-ART project is expected to take four to five years to complete even after construction starts, underscoring the urgency for its swift implementation. He expressed concern that Johor Bahru's lack of an efficient, high-capacity urban public transport system will further strain its road network. The state's capital, with approximately 1.8 million residents, faces traffic challenges comparable to Penang, which is also developing its own LRT line.

"Johor Bahru is also a major international gateway for the country with a very high rate of cross-border movement," Ghazi noted, advocating for equal attention and priority for Johor's public transport needs. He described the E-ART project as more than just infrastructure, but a federal intervention that would directly impact citizens' daily lives and be genuinely felt, appreciated, and remembered by the people.

Johor Bahru is also a major international gateway for the country with a very high rate of cross-border movement.

— Datuk Onn Hafiz GhaziHighlighting the strategic importance of Johor Bahru and the need for improved public transport.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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