KUALA LUMPUR (March 14): Forest City is enhancing the infrastructure in southern Johor to support the development of the Special Financial Zone (SFZ) and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), to create a key transportation hub in the region.

Forest City has been expanding its road transportation network in collaboration with Causeway Link since 2023, enhancing connectivity between Forest City and the Sultan Abu Bakar Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine Complex (KSAB) at the Second Link.

In a press statement, Country Garden Pacificview Sdn Bhd deputy president Syarul Izam Sarifudin stated: "Both Forest City and Causeway Link are collaborating again to comprehensively upgrade the bus routes in Forest City and achieve seamless connection with the Johor Bahru public transportation system. The upgraded bus network in Forest City will be better integrated with the Johor Bahru bus system, making residents' journeys more convenient."

The improvements include optimising existing routes to shopping destinations such as Educity, NSK Nusajaya, and AEON Bukit Indah, increasing the frequency of buses to the Second Link, and launching weekend services between Forest City and Kuala Lumpur. The enhanced bus network began trial operations on Feb 12, with full service commencing on Feb 16.

Syarul Izam also highlighted the potential for rail integration, saying: "Whether it is the highly-anticipated restart of the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (KL-Singapore HSR), or the construction plans of the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) or Light Rail Transit (LRT) in Johor Bahru, the government departments are advancing them in an orderly manner. Forest City also expressed its anticipation to participate."

The statement also carried Johor Works, Transportation, Infrastructure, and Communications Committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh’s affirmation that the state government’s commitment to improving transportation links to ensure the success of SFZ and JS-SEZ. He noted that between 300,000 and 400,000 travellers cross the Causeway and Second Link daily.

“The Malaysian government’s single immigration clearance system at both Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) and Sultan Abu Bakar (KSAB) Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complexes has started operations," he said.

“The system uses facial recognition, besides QR code and passports. It enables much faster immigration clearance at the two land checkpoints, which is the Causeway and Second Link, allowing for more seamless travel between Malaysia and Singapore."

The state government is also focused on developing a transit network that will link Forest City’s SFZ with the JS-SEZ. "With this in mind, the state government is looking at having an elevated ART system at three corridors, which is the Iskandar Puteri line, Skudai line and Tebrau line," Mohamad Fazli said.

He added that the Iskandar Puteri corridor line "will be able to connect to Forest City’s SFZ and also the wider JS-SEZ".

“The RTS is able to ferry a maximum capacity of 10,000 individuals, either to Singapore or to Johor Bahru, and discussions are underway to introduce a single immigration clearance system for both countries,” he said.

Mohamad Fazli stated that these initiatives would solidify Forest City’s role as a transportation hub and attract both domestic and international investments.

He added, "The state government will cooperate with multiple parties to actively promote relevant transportation development plans, and contribute to the development of the special zones".