Opening ceremony of Tuas Checkpoint and Second Link
1998: Tuas Checkpoint and Second Link officially opened. As Singapore's second crossing between Singapore and Malaysia, it provided a good alternative for trade vehicles carrying industrial goods and produce intended for our industries or our ports. The crossing is also more conveniently located in terms of access to North-South highway and Singapore's industrial sector and ports.
The construction of Woodlands Train Checkpoint
1998: In the same year, Singapore's rail Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) facilities was relocated from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands Train Checkpoint, which is located next to the existing Woodlands Checkpoint while Malaysia Immigration and Customs officials remained in Tanjong Pagar Railway Station. The decision for relocation was to centralise immigration, customs and security clearance for all land traffic, including rail traffic into Singapore at Woodlands Checkpoint. This move was to prevent illegal entries of people and goods, smuggling of drugs along the railway line and to ensure that the immigration and customs staff could be fully utilised during the lull periods between train arrivals and departures.
The co-located Singapore and Malaysia CIQ facility at Woodlands Train Checkpoint was officially opened in 2011. This symbolised the close people-to-people links between Singapore and Malaysia, and opened up new possibilities for bilateral cooperation between both countries.