KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 ― The Johor Sultan has called for the Johor-Singapore Causeway to be replaced with a bridge, in a bid to tackle increasing traffic congestion on the link between Malaysia and its southern neighbour.

“I feel sorry for the thousands of Malaysians and Singaporeans who are stuck in traffic jams at the Causeway daily due to the congestion. It is worse during holidays and festive seasons.

“Also, many people are walking to Singapore daily due to the bad traffic jams,” Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar told The Star Online in an interview.

He expressed confidence that the Singapore government will accept the proposal as it would benefit both countries, but cautioned that “a good reason to replace the Causeway” should be given to the republic, firstly.

He also advised the Malaysian Immigration Department to keep its booths open at all times, after complaints that many of its counters were closed during holiday seasons and peak hours.

The Causeway serves as a road and rail link between the two countries, but also holds the pipes that carries water sold by Johor to Singapore and vice versa.

There have been repeated calls for it to be removed over the years, particularly from Johor that says the Causeway causes a disadvantage to its local ports.