Kuala lumpur: Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) today marked a major construction milestone for the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link with the completion of the inner facade steel bands at the Bukit Chagar Station, here. In a statement today, MRT Corp chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim said the inner bands form the station roof, providing permanent protection over the platforms while giving the station its defining structure.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, this milestone brings the project a step closer to operational readiness, as it progresses towards its targeted commencement of service on December 31 this year. "The completion of the inner bands also allows facade works to move into their final phase, with external cladding and glass installation now underway," added Mohd Zarif. The installation works were awarded in January 2024 to Rohas Sediabena Builders Consortium Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between Rohas-Euco Industries, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rohas Tecnic Bhd, and Sediabena Builders Sdn Bhd.
Mohd Zarif further emphasized the significance of this achievement, noting that the facade's final design development, fabrication, construction, and installation have been carried out entirely by Malaysian contractors. He added that the overall construction of the RTS Link continues to progress well ahead of schedule, supported by strong coordination across civil, architectural, systems, and station works. Multiple construction packages are advancing in parallel, enabling earlier access for follow-on trades and systems installation.
Meanwhile, group chief executive officer of Rohas Tecnic Group, Amirul Baharom, highlighted the complexity of the facade structure, which demands careful planning, coordinated fabrication, and disciplined execution. "From large-scale off-site fabrication to on-site installation, this milestone demonstrates that Malaysian companies have the capability, capacity, and systems to deliver major infrastructure to international standards," he said. Inspired by the image of two hands holding each other's wrists, the facade symbolizes mutual support and shared purpose of the project.
The roof facade structure measures approximately 50 meters in height, 200 meters in length, and 50 meters in width, incorporating sixteen steel bands, a rainscreen system, skylight, and spire. More than 40,000 square meters of fabrication capacity across specialized facilities in Bentong, Seremban, and Tapah were utilized to meet rigorous engineering and quality requirements.