The Johor-Singapore Causeway is one of the busiest crossings in the region with more than 300,000 Malaysians travelling across the border — a majority of whom come to Singapore for work. Today, even under the Malaysian-enforced Movement Control Order, hundreds of pedestrians still cross the causeway on foot.
While walking across the causeway is essentially illegal, authorities have not taken action so far. With a newly proposed air-conditioned walkway in discussion between both countries, it appears the commute could prove to be more comfortable for travellers going in and out of Malaysia daily.
Public Works, Infrastructure, and Transport Committee Chairman for the Malaysian state of Johor, Mohd Solihan Badri shared on 13 September that the Johor state government has requested RM30 million (S$9.88 million) in funding from the Malaysian federal government to build the walkway, which is set to stretch 350m on Malaysia’s side of the causeway up to the Singapore border.
An initial amount of RM15 million was requested in early 2020 but the walkway did not include escalators and air-conditioning.
Singaporeans may also be able to enjoy this new addition to the causeway. Mohd Solihan added that officials from the Singapore Consulate-General in Johor Bahru expressed interest in extending the walkway to cover Singapore’s side.
“They asked for the design of the walkway so that they can submit a proposal to their government to extend the walkway.”
