A cross-border transport MoU, including e-hailing services, is expected at the Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat in Singapore this December
KLUANG: A Memorandum of Understanding on cross-border transport, including e-hailing services, is expected to be signed at the 12th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat in early December.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed that discussions have been held between the two transport ministries.
He stated that 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,” Loke told reporters after officiating the 2025 Pesta Rel Kluang at Laman Rel Mahkota.
“However, the announcement should be made at the upcoming Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat.”
This follows his August 18 statement that the Ministry of Transport was prepared in principle to discuss cross-border e-hailing services between Johor and Singapore.
Loke had previously raised the proposal with Singapore’s former Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat, but Singapore was not ready to discuss it at that time.
Currently, cross-border travel operates under the reciprocal Cross-Border Taxi Scheme.
This long-standing arrangement permits up to 200 licensed taxis from each country to carry passengers between Singapore and Johor Bahru.
Singaporean taxis must operate from Larkin Sentral in Johor Bahru under the scheme’s terms.
Malaysian taxis are based at Terminal Jalan Ban San in Singapore for cross-border operations.
The Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat serves as an annual high-level platform for both Prime Ministers.
It convenes to review the nations’ bilateral relationship and finalise key areas of strategic cooperation. – Bernama
