The game-changing project has been hit with a series of delays since the newly minted Pakatan Harapan government took power last May. With the property market in Iskandar Malaysia already in doldrums, we analyse the possible impact this may have on real estate on both sides of the causeway.

By Khalil Adis

When Pakatan Harapan took power in a landslide victory at the Malaysian general election last May, the ruling coalition government went to work by immediately addressing one of its election manifestos - reviewing major infrastructure projects which involve a foreign country.

Singapore was no exception.

Iskandar Malaysia, which was already feeling the heat from the sluggish property market, saw the High Speed Rail project at first being cancelled and then postponed.

Meanwhile, the controversial Forest City project bordering Singapore was initially announced as off-limits to foreigners but was subsequently changed to build affordable homes for locals.

The former is an important impetus that many developers had banked on to move their inventory amid a severe housing glut the state is facing.

According to recent data provided by the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH), Johor recorded the highest number of residential overhang at 13,767 units followed by Selangor and Kuala Lumpur at 7,233 and 5,114 units respectively.

The mismatch in the supply for homes versus what Johoreans can actually afford plus their inability to get financing have further exacerbated the property market situation in Iskandar Malaysia.

The only saving grace is the cross-border rail link service linking Woodlands and Johor Bahru.

Although not cancelled, the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) link project is "not progressing well” as Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan puts it.

Just last week, Acting Transport Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan gave an update in Parliament that “further delays” are likely as Malaysia had missed the deadline in confirming its partner three times - first until September 2018, then until December. 

However, on December 28, Malaysia had asked to be given until February 28 this year to do so.

It had missed this deadline as well.

As a result, this will delay the opening of the link which was initially scheduled to be ready by December 31, 2024.

Some developers, particularly in the JB Sentral area, had banked on the RTS Link, to move their unsold units.

With the project now in limbo, here are the possible impacts on the property market both in Singapore and Johor:

#1: Possible higher development cost around Woodlands North station

In May 2012, it was announced that AECOM Technology has been awarded a US$42m contract for the design and engineering study of the RTS Link by Malaysia’s Land Public Transport Commission and Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA).

Under the deal, the company will provide an architectural and engineering consultancy study for the proposed RTS Link.

Construction is well underway for the Thomson-East Coast MRT Line (TEL) with a plot of land allocated for the link at Woodlands North station.

The station is slated to be opened in December this year.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) master plan for Woodlands North Coast shows a mixed-use precinct for office and business parks along signature green boulevards within the station’s immediate vicinity.

The delay could mean higher development cost for the terminus due to opportunity costs and inflation.

#2: Higher fares

The higher development cost arising from the construction delay could also mean higher fares for the RTS Link which may be passed on to consumers. 

However, whether or not this happens, commuters will likely switch to taking the RTS Link across the causeway as it will mean greater convenience as opposed to driving in or taking the bus.

For example, commuters need to clear customs and immigration only once when they depart from either Singapore or Malaysia. 

Using one’s own vehicle or taking the bus will require a two times clearance with the possibility of being stuck in traffic.

#3: Potential capital appreciation for existing housing developments near Bukit Chagar RTS station affected

The Bukit Chagar RTS station will be located at the open car park next to the Sultan Iskandar Building complex.

Surrounding the station are landed terrace homes and condominium towers TriTower Residence and Bukit Chagar Apartments.

According to data from Brickz, from May 2017 to Jan 2018, the average per sq ft pricing for the landed homes in the area was RM354 per sq ft.

Meanwhile, the average per sq ft transacted pricing for Bukit Chagar Apartments from Mar 2017 to Dec 2017 was RM395 per sq ft.

There is no data for TriTower Residence built by SKS Group, formerly known as Maha Builders Group or MB Group.

With the delay, the potential capital appreciation arising from the spillover impact from the RTS Link will take a longer period beyond 2024.

Despite this, market talk is SKS Group has plans to build a covered link to the Bukit Chagar RTS station.

If this is true, investors of TriTower Residence will stand to benefit the most.

#4: Developments around JB Sentral affected

The delay will also impact surrounding developments in JB Sentral as it will mean longer gestation period for the commercial, property and tourism sectors.

The game-changing project could provide a much-needed boost to complement Johor Bahru’s ambitious RM1.8 billion rejuvenation programme that was unveiled by former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in 2010.

This is because it will bring an inflow of investments from Singapore that will benefit the sectors mentioned.

Although the Sungai Segget rehabilitation is now completed, the project proved to be quite a letdown.

The project was spearheaded by the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) with a reportedly whopping RM20 million consultation fee. 

The entire cost is an estimated RM57 million.

The project was supposed to provide a booster to the nearby malls such as Johor Bahru City Square and KOMTAR JBCC as well as shophouses.

It was also supposed to be a tourist attraction much like Clarke Quay as it was modelled after South Korea’s Cheonggyecheon river restoration project in South Korea.

This explains why developers like UMLand had acquired land banks near to Jalan Wong Ah Fook for the opening of Suasana Iskandar Malaysia.

Given the high cost, naturally, the expectation among stakeholders was high.

However, some developers, shop owners and retailers were reportedly not very happy about the way the river cleaning project had turned out.

While the river no longer emits an odour, littering is still common.

The only saving grace for the river is a miserable small fish pond with a fountain in the middle of it.

Surely the river rejuvenation project can do much better.

#5: Ibrahim International District as the potential jewel of Johor

Delays and disappointments aside, there is a gateway district coming up in Johor Bahru that will mirror the one at Woodlands North station.

Called Ibrahim International District, the project is named after the Sultan of Johor.

Under his auspices and blessings, His Majesty has set the target of making Johor Baru the second biggest city in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur.

As such, we can be sure the project will receive the state’s 110 per cent commitment to make it shine as the jewel of Johor.

With a gross development value of RM3 billion, Ibrahim International District is an ambitious mixed-use development that will comprise six towers -– a hotel, a hotel with residences, an office, medical suites high-rise and two serviced apartment towers and a mall with an estimated gross floor area of 80,000 sq ft.

The district is currently under construction.

There are plans to build a linkway from Persada Johor to Coronation Square at Ibrahim International District.

However, there is no word yet if the district will be connected to the future Bukit Chagar RTS station.

If it does, it will enhance property values in the area, albeit beyond 2024.

#6: One Bukit Senyum as the current property booster

​Nevertheless, there is light at the end of the tunnel as the only property booster around JB Sentral is the One Bukit Senyum project by Singapore Exchange-listed Astaka Holdings Limited.

Home to the tallest residential towers in Southeast Asia, Astaka, One Bukit Senyum will be Johor Bahru’s new central business district when fully completed in 2021.
 
One Bukit Senyum will be developed in two phases. 

The first comprises The Astaka, with a total of 438 units. 

The development, which is Johor’s most luxurious condominium development by far, was completed late last year.

Phase two will comprise Johor Bahru City Council’s new headquarters, a 450-room five-star hotel, 1012 residences, 254-key serviced apartments, a 1.5 million square feet shopping mall and a Grade A office building.

Conclusion

The JB-Woodlands RTS Link is a complicated matter as it involves the state and federal governments.

Nevertheless, it will be a win-win situation for both Singapore and Malaysia to continue with the project as it will mean and inflow of investments, particularly for Johor.

It will also ease the daily commute among Johoreans who are working in Singapore.
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The spirit of good neighbourliness should prevail.

​Spanning 29km with a target completion date by 2029, phase one of the CRL will run from Bright Hill to Changi with 12 stations in all

By Khalil Adis

Come 2029, you can hop onto the train via a fully underground line that will link you from Ang Mo Kio to the aviation hub of Changi.

Announced just last week by Singapore’s Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan, phase one will comprise 12 stations.

When fully completed by 2030, the entire line will span some 50km and will serve existing and future developments in the eastern, western, and north-eastern corridors.

This will link it to major hubs such as Jurong Lake District, Punggol Digital District and the Changi region.

According to the Land Transport Authority (LTA), the CRL will be Singapore’s longest fully underground line. 

Here are five quick facts on phase one of the CRL.

#1: 29km of fully underground line

The CRL will run parallel to the current East West Line (EWL).

When opened, it will serve the residential and industrial areas such as Loyang, Tampines, Pasir Ris, Defu, Hougang, Serangoon North and Ang Mo Kio.

This will definitely help ease congestions along the popular line which has been in operation since 12 December 1987.

When the full CRL line commences service, the LTA envisages time savings of up to 30 to 40 minutes from Changi to Jurong.

Construction for phase one of the CRL is expected to commence in 2020 and will be completed by 2029. 

#2: 12 stations 

Phase one of the CRL will comprise 12 stations namely, Aviation Park, Loyang, Pasir Ris East, Pasir Ris, Tampines North, Defu, Hougang, Serangoon North, Tavistock, Ang Mo Kio, Teck Ghee and Bright Hill.

Of these, four will be interchange stations.

Bright Hill, which is on the Thomson-East Coast Line, will become an interchange station with the CRL

Meanwhile, Ang Mo Kio, Hougang and Pasir Ris will be an interchange station with the North-South Line, North East Line and the East-West Line respectively.

#3: More than 100,000 households will benefit

According to the LTA, more than 100,000 households will benefit from phase one of the CRL.

Additionally, the LTA said envisages the projected daily ridership of the entire CRL to be more than 600,000 in the initial years before increasing to over 1 million in the longer term.

#4: Open up access to more areas

The LTA said previously inaccessible areas which currently have no MRT access such as Serangoon Gardens, Serangoon North and Aviation Park in Changi will enjoy greater connectivity. 

This means common recreational spaces such as Changi Beach Park, Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, Hougang Mall and Ang Mo Kio Hub will also become more accessible by public transport.

This is definitely great news for outdoor lovers and mall enthusiasts as such spaces will enjoy greater connectivity.

There’s more good news.

The LTA said the line may be extended to link up with Changi Airport.

#5: CRL will support three new economic hubs 

Singapore plans to bring jobs closer to homes with various plans in place to build economic hubs away from the central business district.

Minister Khaw said that the CRL will help to support these new economic hubs that are being planned such as the Punggol Digital District, Jurong Lake District and one at the Changi region.

Analysis

​The CRL will help to boost property values along the 50km stretch.

The districts that will benefit greatly are those described above where the government has laid across a masterplan especially for Punggol Digital District and Jurong Lake District.

According to the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) Punggol Digital District masterplan, the innovation district will house technology firms involved in key growth fields such as cyber-security as well as the new Singapore Institute of Technology Campus.  

It will be opened progressively from 2023 and will create around 28,000 new jobs.

Meanwhile, Jurong Lake District is set to become the largest commercial and regional centre outside the city centre.

According to the URA, the district will create more than 100,000 new jobs with 20,000 homes to be built when it is set for completion after 2040.

As for Changi, the URA’s Draft Master Plan 2013 showed Changi Airport’s ambitious expansion plans with two new terminals that will be built - Terminal 4 was completed in 2017 while the new Terminal 5 will be completed by around 2025. 

In addition, Project Jewel, an S$1.7 billion mixed-use development is set to open this year and will be seamlessly linked with the existing Terminal 1.

This iconic development will feature a vast indoor garden and more shopping options. 

The URA envisages these three new developments to anchor Changi Airport’s air hub status for years to come and to generate thousands of new jobs for Singaporeans.

As such, homeowners residing in Jurong East, Toh Guan, Teban Gardens, Taman Jurong, Punggol and Changi areas will benefit the most from the opening of the CRL line.