JOHOR BARU: Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar is willing to return a piece of land at Bukit Chagar here to the federal government at no cost – provided that it is used for the delayed Rapid Transit System (RTS).
Sultan Ibrahim’s offer follows news reports that a rise in the cost of the RTS project is linked to a piece of land which belongs to him.
The ruler's private secretary, Datuk Jaba Mohd Noah, said that Sultan Ibrahim is upset over the allegation.
"Sultan Ibrahim was never informed that one of his plots of land is part of the RTS project.
"However, Sultan Ibrahim said that if that is the case, he is willing to return the land to the government without any cost, on condition that the RTS project is continued as quickly as possible," said Jaba in a statement today.
He said the ruler made the decision because he understands the hardship faced by the people who commute between Johor and Singapore daily.
"As he has stressed, the interests of the people and the government always come first, and that all issues need to be discussed in harmony," Jaba added.
It was reported that a 4.5ha plot of land at Bukit Chagar, which was initially earmarked for the RTS train link, was discovered to be registered under the Johor ruler’s name.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that the government is determined to reclaim the land if its ownership had been transferred to Sultan Ibrahim.