Singapore is awaiting Malaysia’s response regarding the purchase of two plots of land that would help facilitate the redevelopment of Woodlands Checkpoint.
In a response to CNA’s queries, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said on Thursday (Feb 22) that the Federal Lands Commissioner of Malaysia owns two “small plots” of land near Woodlands Checkpoint.
These plots, currently unused, sit in the middle of the area which will constitute the to-be redeveloped Woodlands Checkpoint,” said ICA.
“Without them, we would not be able to optimise the Checkpoint’s redevelopment, which we are undertaking in order to enhance the immigration clearance experience for Singapore and Malaysia travellers using the Causeway.”
ICA said that Singapore had written to Malaysia in May 2022 and more recently in November 2023 to propose the purchase of the land.
The matter was also raised at a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia in July 2023 and the 10th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat in October 2023, during which both sides had committed to improving the traffic situation at the Causeway crossing, said ICA.
“We are waiting for Malaysia’s reply on the proposal,” added ICA.
Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore Azfar Mohamad Mustafar was quoted as saying that while it is logical for Singapore to buy the land, Malaysia is still deciding whether to sell the plots or to perform a land swap deal similar to the one done in 2010.
“Singapore has written to Malaysia (for the purchase of the land). The relevant authority in Malaysia is deliberating and looking into it. So far we have not received any feedback from the relevant authority,” said Azfar.
He added that all government land abroad is registered under the Federal Lands Commissioner.
CNA
