RTS Link Field Exercise Tests Cross-border Emergency Response Readiness

JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Singapore have successfully completed a joint field training exercise for the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link to assess the effectiveness of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and the readiness of agencies from both countries to respond to cross-border emergencies.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the Malaysia-Singapore Cross-Border Joint Exercise - Field Training Exercise (FTX) 2026 was crucial to ensuring effective coordination among agencies ahead of the RTS Link's scheduled commencement of operations in February 2027.

“This exercise is part of our preparations to test the effectiveness of the SOPs jointly developed by Malaysia and Singapore in handling cross-border incidents,” he said at a press conference following the closing ceremony of the joint exercise at the Wadi Hana Depot in Bukit Chagar here today.

Saifuddin Nasution said preparations for the exercise began in March and were coordinated by the National Security Council (MKN), involving 28 Malaysian ministries and agencies, including the Health Ministry, police, military, Fire and Rescue Department and Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS).

Meanwhile, MKN director-general Datuk Raja Nurshirwan Zainal Abidin said the exercise simulated a fire aboard an RTS Link train stranded across the Malaysia-Singapore border, with its front section in Malaysia and most of its carriages in Singapore.

He said that under the SOPs agreed upon by both countries, Malaysia would be responsible for managing the incident, even though most of the train's carriages were on the Singaporean side.

“According to the SOPs, Malaysia is responsible for managing the incident, despite most of the train's carriages being in Singapore...that is a rather complex scenario,” he said.

Raja Nurshirwan added that victims in the simulated incident were brought to Malaysia, with the rescue operation requiring coordination between agencies from both countries.

--BERNAMA