Singapore Gazettes Land Acquisition Plan For WCP Redevelopment

By Nur Ashikin Abdul Aziz

SINGAPORE, June 4 (Bernama) -- The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) on Wednesday gazetted the intended acquisition of two land parcels owned by the Malaysian government to facilitate the planned redevelopment and extension of the Woodlands Checkpoint (WCP).

In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, SLA and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said the two parcels, measuring approximately 0.79 hectares and located near the middle of the redevelopment site, would be acquired by the Singapore government.

According to the joint statement, the two land parcels are vegetated and not used.

SLA and ICA said they will work closely with the Malaysian government through the acquisition process.

“We will continue our strong partnership with the Malaysian government to strengthen connectivity and people-to-people links,” the joint statement said.

Land acquisition in Singapore is governed by the Land Acquisition Act (LAA), and the SLA is responsible for its administration.

Under the act, landowners whose land is acquired are compensated at market value, but they may lodge an appeal with the Appeals Board if they are not satisfied with the compensation awarded.

According to reports, Singapore had previously written to Malaysia in May 2022 and November 2023 to propose the purchase of the land.

Media reports in February 2024 indicated that the proposal was still under consideration by Malaysian authorities.

ICA and SLA said that the redevelopment and extension of WCP will be carried out in phases over the next 10 to 15 years, aiming to provide a long-term solution to chronic congestion at the land crossing.

In 2024, daily traveller volume at WCP increased by 22 per cent, from 269,000 in 2023 to 327,000, and is projected to reach 400,000 daily travellers by 2050.

--BERNAMA