KLUANG, Nov 22 (Bernama) – A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cross-border transport, including e-hailing services, is expected to be signed at the 12th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat 2025, early December in Singapore.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed that while discussions have been held, the specific details and official decisions will only be announced at the retreat, which will be attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
"The two transport ministries have reached an understanding. However, the announcement should be made at the upcoming Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat," he told the media after officiating the 2025 Pesta Rel Kluang at Laman Rel Mahkota earlier today.
This development follows his statement on Aug 18, in which he said the Ministry of Transport was prepared in principle to discuss the implementation of cross-border e-hailing services between Johor and Singapore.
Loke was quoted as saying the proposal had previously been raised with Singapore's former Transport Minister, Chee Hong Tat; however, the republic was not ready to enter into discussions at the time.
Currently, cross-border travel is facilitated by the reciprocal Cross-Border Taxi Scheme, a long-standing arrangement that permits up to 200 licensed taxis from each country to carry passengers between Singapore and Johor Bahru.
Under the scheme's terms, these cross-border taxis are only permitted to pick up and drop off passengers at designated locations: Singaporean taxis must operate from Larkin Sentral in Johor Bahru, while Malaysian taxis are based at the Terminal Jalan Ban San in Singapore.
The Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat serves as an annual high-level platform, convening the two Prime Ministers to review the nations’ bilateral relationship and finalise key areas of strategic cooperation.
"The two transport ministries have reached an understanding. However, the announcement should be made at the upcoming Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat," he told the media after officiating the 2025 Pesta Rel Kluang at Laman Rel Mahkota earlier today.
This development follows his statement on Aug 18, in which he said the Ministry of Transport was prepared in principle to discuss the implementation of cross-border e-hailing services between Johor and Singapore.
Loke was quoted as saying the proposal had previously been raised with Singapore's former Transport Minister, Chee Hong Tat; however, the republic was not ready to enter into discussions at the time.
Currently, cross-border travel is facilitated by the reciprocal Cross-Border Taxi Scheme, a long-standing arrangement that permits up to 200 licensed taxis from each country to carry passengers between Singapore and Johor Bahru.
Under the scheme's terms, these cross-border taxis are only permitted to pick up and drop off passengers at designated locations: Singaporean taxis must operate from Larkin Sentral in Johor Bahru, while Malaysian taxis are based at the Terminal Jalan Ban San in Singapore.
The Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat serves as an annual high-level platform, convening the two Prime Ministers to review the nations’ bilateral relationship and finalise key areas of strategic cooperation.