JOHOR BARU (May 4): The Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar today said he was not informed that a plot of land that he owns in Bukit Chagar here was in the way of the proposed Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS).

In a statement issued by his private secretary Datuk Haji Jaba Mohd Noah, the Sultan decreed that he consents to surrender the land to the Government for free.

"It is hereby informed that the Johor Sultan is disappointed by news linking the increase in the RTS project cost to a piece of land owned by His Majesty in Bukit Chagar.

"To date, His Majesty the Johor sultan was never informed that the land owned by His Majesty would be involved in the RTS project.

"However, His Majesty decreed that if the land owned by His Majesty in Bukit Chagar is really involved in the RTS project, then His Majesty consents that it be surrendered to the government without cost," he said.

Jaba said this is on condition that the RTS project must proceed immediately as His Majesty is aware of the people's hardship in having to commute between the two countries.

"As have always been emphasised, the people and government's interests are always His Majesty's priority and every issue should be discussed in consensus," he said.

Earlier today, Malaysiakini reported that the parcel of land intended for the RTS was transferred to the Johor Sultan two days after he consented to its realignment.

On Aug 7, 2017, the Johor Sultan had expressed "serious reservations" about the RTS design and was unhappy with the original alignment that curved over the Straits of Johor.

"It disrupts the city skyline, and we are talking about a permanent fixture here. Go back to the drawing board and review the overall plan.

"The parties also have to consult me. Whatever (new plan) is presented to me, it will have to be logical, economical, and sustainable for the benefit of not only Johoreans but all Malaysians and Singaporeans," he had said.

A day later, the Barisan Nasional Government reacted to the Johor Sultan's concern and on Nov 17, 2017 an announcement was made by the Land Public Transport Commission (Spad) [which has since been absorbed into the Transport Ministry as the Land Public Transport Agency].

In the announcement, Spad said it had sought an audience with the Johor ruler on Sept 19, and taken note of his feedback on the realignment, Malaysiakini reported.

“His Majesty has agreed to the option of a 25m high bridge which will cross the Straits of Johor in a straight line, while still complying with the Marine Department’s technical guidelines for a minimum of 25m air draught clearance.

“His Majesty also stressed the importance of ensuring adequate traffic dispersal at the RTS Bukit Chagar station area, and Spad will act on it,” it had said.

Two days later on Nov 19, 2017, Lot PTB 23354 - a 4.5-hectare plot of land in Bukit Chagar that will be used for the RTS project - was transferred to the Johor Sultan, who did not pay anything in quit rent, Malaysiakini reported.

That piece of land was supposed to have been transferred to the Federal Government by the Johor State Government in 2010 in exchange for the Federal land in Tanjung Puteri utilised for the construction of the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex.

Then, on Dec 9, 2018, another 2.4-ha land named Lot 45419 - an undersea land where the RTS will also pass through - was also transferred to the Johor ruler, who also did not pay any quit rent, according to Malaysiakini.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the Government will buy back the lands only if the Johor ruler had paid for them.

 “If he (Sultan of Johor) has paid, of course we have to buy it back but if he hasn’t paid then we won’t buy back...it is our land. We require that land for the purpose of building necessary building,” Mahathir said.