Johor Bahru construction report

The Future Southeast Asia Newsletter features transport and urban development news in Southeast Asia, edited by James Clark.

Hello from Yogyakarta. I’m midway through an overland trip from Jakarta to Bali, and I am checking out the various railways along the way I started the trip on the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway, and I will be writing about that when I finish this trip.

I’ve been to Yogyakarta twice before, so I haven’t felt pressured to visit the tourist sites. I took the train to the new airport so I could review the airport railway and see the new airport. Indonesia has more airport railways than any other country in Southeast Asia.

This week’s main article is my Johor Bahru construction report. In the news section there are some updates on planned transit projects, plus a new proposal for Langkawi.

Latest posts at Future Southeast Asia

• Johor Bahru construction update – 2024 edition

An update on construction projects in Johor Bahru, including the RTS Link to Singapore.

News

🇰🇭 Cambodia

• Experts outline benefits of Funan Techo Canal

• Cambodia's Funan Techo canal could upset Mekong Delta ecosystem: experts

• Cambodian conglomerate lures ASEAN money to drive nation's growth

• Frozen projects in S’ville lure new investors

🇮🇩 Indonesia

• Indonesia, China agree to form team for Jakarta-Surabaya high-speed train development

• KAI asks for government help to alleviate high-speed rail debt burden

• Indonesia revokes international status of 17 airports

• Nusantara's electric vehicle development drawing international, domestic investors: Indonesian officials

🇱🇦 Laos

• Laos and Thailand pushing for more road and bridge links to boost trade between two countries

• Fifth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge to 'open in November'

🇲🇾 Malaysia

• From LRT to ART: Johor switches gear to autonomous rapid transit system to ease congestion, spur development

• Railway Infrastructure of Johor-Singapore RTS over 70% complete, says Transport Minister

• Kedah GLC collaborating with South Korean firm to study LRT development in Langkawi

• ART interchange station being constructed at Simpang Tiga area, says Sarawak Metro

• The story behind this 'dystopian' LRT graveyard In Ulu Yam with 'abandoned' trains

 🇵🇭 Philippines

• Philippines is top recipient of ADB aid in 2023

• 7 Mindanao airports get P1.3-b funds for upgrade

• Jeepney strike under way in Philippines as deadline to modernise nears

“Government tells operators they must join cooperatives by Tuesday and gradually replace their vehicles with greener options.”

🇸🇬 Singapore

• Punggol Digital District to have 200-room hotel facing Coney Island

🇹🇭 Thailand

• Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang set for $4.8bn expansion

• Air force golf course out, airport runway link in

This is regarding the golf course at Don Muang Airport:

“Airports of Thailand (AoT) might have to pay at least three billion baht in compensation to the air force if it decides to adopt the area that is currently home to the air force's Kantarat Golf Course, said Defence Ministry spokesman Jirayu Houngsub on Tuesday.”

• Study on Land Bridge estate expected soon

• EEC targets high-speed rail plan

“The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Office is close to finalising a commercial development plan for areas in Chon Buri and Chachoengsao, part of a proposed high-speed rail system that will link Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao airports.”

• Phuket tram study makes progress

• Rail work suspended after ancient relics found

"The Fine Arts Department has ordered the suspension of construction of the Den Chai-Chiang Khong railway in tambon Toong Kwao of Phrae's Muang district after the discovery of ancient artefacts aged between 400 and 500 years in the construction site."

• Between Bangkok's mega highways, 'pocket parks' sprout

🇹🇱 Timor-Leste

• Timor-Leste seeks economic lifeline as oil wealth dwindles

🇻🇳 Vietnam

• North-South railway: How high should the speed be?

"250 or 350 kph?"

• Ho Chi Minh City to fell, relocate 185 trees for 1st metro line, bus route connectivity project

• Vietnam's tourism hot spot becomes foreign investment hub

“U.S.-China conflict and new infrastructure give rise to northern Quang Ninh province.”

• Vietnam, Japan sign comprehensive cooperation in transport

“Regarding cooperation opportunities in the coming time, Minister Nguyen Van Thang proposed a number of important transport infrastructure projects such as the North-South high-speed railway project, Can Tho 2 bridge, Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho railway for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s consideration to support Vietnam in using Japan's new generation of ODA capital.”

• Phu Quoc takes back nearly 28,000sqm of residents’ land for eco-tourism project