Singapore has asked the Malaysian government for technical consultations over its planned move to close the Causeway to heavy vehicles and lorries for one year and to divert them to the Second Link.

The proposed diversion would have material implications for both sides and lead to delays and higher costs for users, said a Singapore government statement tonight.

In response to media queries on Malaysian Works Minister Datuk Seri Samy Vellu's remarks on Jan 18 that Kuala Lumpur intends to impose the temporary ban on heavy vehicles on Sept 1 to allow roadworks to be carried out on the Causeway, Singapore said the dates and period of the temporary closure and diversion differed significantly from that given in an earlier notification on Dec 21.

Singapore has written to seek clarification from the relevant Malaysian authorities, as well as to get more details about the proposed diversion.

"The proposed diversion will have material implications for both Malaysia and Singapore. Besides obvious operational adjustments for traffic and checkpoint operations at the Second Link and the Causeway, users of both land links can expect delays and higher costs as a result of the proposed diversion," said the statement.

"It will be necessary for Malaysia and Singapore to work together to minimise the disruption to the travelling public, as well as tourist and trade flows. We have therefore requested the Malaysian Government to hold consultations with us at a technical level as soon as possible to work out the modalities of the proposed diversion and we look forward to their response."

On Singapore???s part, a multi-agency group has been looking at appropriate measures to minimise the impact of the temporary diversion.

In view of the anticipated increase in traffic volume at the Second Link, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority and the Land Transport Authority are making preparations to redeploy resources and adjust traffic flows at the checkpoint, said the statement.

"In addition, we have been seeking feedback from industry on the impact of the diversion on their operations. These preparatory and mitigating measures will take time to implement. It is therefore important that this be taken into account in deciding on the timing of the temporary diversion. We hope to coordinate our efforts with the Malaysians to responsibly manage the proposed diversion," it added.

Freight forwarders and other businessmen say the cost of many essential goods entering Singapore will rise if the closure goes ahead.

By making drivers on both sides of the Causeway use the Second Link, at which toll rates are substantially higher, business costs will increase.

Malaysian lorries carry a substantial portion of Singapore's daily food needs, such as an estimated 45 per cent of vegetables, 40 per cent of fish and 35 per cent of imported chickens.

Freight forwarders and transport companies have said higher toll charges, as well as the cost of covering the extra 30km each way from the Causeway to the Second Link, would be passed down to the consumers.

Malaysia says the diversion is necessary while works are carried out to ease traffic congestion in Johor Baru and alleviate a gridlock at the almost-completed new Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex (CIQ) there.