New Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link Bill 2026 sets legal safeguards for officers, data, and cross-border operations

• Legal immunity and protections: Officers, official documents, equipment, and data used in RTS operations will receive special protections within designated areas. 
• Jurisdiction and enforcement clarity: The Bill sets out which country’s laws apply to offences, clearance functions, and security matters across the cross-border system. 
• Operational arrangements for the RTS Link: It enables cross-deployment of officers, movement of official goods, reciprocal measures, and regulations to support implementation. 

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The new Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link Bill 2026, passed on 12 February 2026 (Thursday), outlines protections, privileges, jurisdiction, and operational arrangements governing enforcement officers, official data, and incidents across the cross-border rail link.

Here's a snapshot of what the Bill entails:

Legal immunity for enforcement officers performing official duties

The Bill establishes that no action, suit, prosecution, or other proceedings may be brought in Malaysia against a Republic of Singapore enforcement officer for acts, neglect, or default carried out in the course of official duties within the designated area at Bukit Chagar Station.

Such protection continues even after the officer has ceased to hold office, although it may be waived by the Government of the Republic of Singapore in writing, either on its own initiative or at Malaysia’s request. Any proceedings relating to those acts may instead be taken in Singapore.

Equivalent protection applies to Republic of Singapore cross-border incident management officers performing incident management duties, including situations where they are not physically present in Malaysia. Malaysian enforcement officers and Malaysian cross-border incident management officers are granted the same protection when performing duties in the designated area at Woodlands North Station or during cross-border incident management.

Official documents, devices, and equipment declared inviolable

The legislation further provides that official documents, devices, and equipment of each government are inviolable within specified areas in the other country.

For Singapore, this protection covers locations in Malaysia including:

• Bukit Chagar Station and its co-located customs, immigration and quarantine facility
• RTS Link trains and train platforms
• Designated car parks for enforcement officers
• Walkways linking these areas
• Additional areas referenced under the Act

Malaysia’s official materials receive corresponding protection within Woodlands North Station and associated facilities in Singapore.

Data governed by the laws of the country that collected it

Information or data collected by Singapore enforcement officers at Bukit Chagar Station is treated as if it were collected in Singapore and is governed by Singapore’s written laws, including those relating to personal data protection and official secrets.

Likewise, information gathered by Malaysian enforcement officers at Woodlands North Station is treated as data collected in Malaysia and governed by Malaysian written laws.

The same approach applies to information contained in official documents, devices, or equipment located in the protected areas, as well as data generated during cross-border incident management by either country’s officers.

Facilitation and tax exemptions for official goods

The Bill also sets out arrangements for goods used by enforcement personnel.

Malaysia is required to facilitate declarations, licences, permits, or approvals needed for the entry and exit of goods for official use by Singapore enforcement officers at Bukit Chagar Station. Upon application by Singapore, such goods may be exempted from customs duties, excise duties, or other taxes under Malaysian law.

Singapore must provide equivalent arrangements for goods used by Malaysian enforcement officers at Woodlands North Station and for cross-border incident management officers.

Officers treated as public servants under Malaysian law

While carrying out official or incident management duties in Malaysia, Singapore enforcement officers and cross-border incident management officers are deemed to be public servants for the purposes of offences under Malaysian written laws relating to acts against public servants.

Criminal jurisdiction across stations and designated areas

Elsewhere, the Bill clarifies how criminal jurisdiction applies within the RTS Link environment.

Malaysia may exercise criminal jurisdiction over offences under Malaysian written laws committed in connection with customs, immigration and quarantine clearance functions and security functions in the designated area at Woodlands North Station.

Courts in Malaysia may try offences even if committed outside Malaysia, with such offences deemed to have been committed within Malaysia for jurisdictional purposes. Where another government declines to exercise jurisdiction, the government with the primary right must do so in accordance with its written laws.

Deployment of enforcement officers across borders

Earlier provisions allow for the deployment of Malaysian enforcement officers to Woodlands North Station and Republic of Singapore enforcement officers to Bukit Chagar Station to carry out clearance and security functions.

These deployments may also occur in exceptional circumstances or before the commencement of passenger service, ensuring operational readiness.

Intermediary entity and reciprocal arrangements

The Bill provides for the designation of an intermediary entity in relation to the RTS Link. It also requires reciprocal arrangements by the Government of the Republic of Singapore, reflecting the bilateral nature of the project.

The Act is intended to be read together with other written laws of Malaysia and to apply alongside corresponding measures adopted by Singapore.

Powers to support implementation

General provisions empower the Minister to make regulations necessary for carrying out the Act and to amend the schedule where required, allowing adjustments as operations evolve.

A legal framework for a shared transport system

As a whole, the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link Bill 2026 establishes a detailed legal structure governing enforcement authority, protection of personnel, handling of official information, jurisdiction over offences, and operational coordination.

Read the full Bill here.

The RTS Link is targeted to commence passenger service at end-2026.

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Lead image / SMRT