Sungai Pulai and Sungei Buloh part of Iskandar work group

New work group to study joint economic project in Iskandar Malaysia
Channel NewsAsia 4 Nov 09;

A study has been commissioned to assess the feasibility of nature sites for joint tourism development, which can potentially increase tourism flows between Iskandar Malaysia and Singapore.

The study sites are Sungai Pulai, Tanjung Piai and Pulau Kukup - collectively known as the Ramsar sites in Iskandar Malaysia - and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in Singapore.

SINGAPORE : A new work group has been formed to study the joint development of an iconic economic project in Iskandar Malaysia.

This is a follow-up to the discussions between the prime ministers of Malaysia and Singapore in May this year.

They mooted the idea of a bilateral project in Iskandar Malaysia as a showcase of the commitment of both countries to build a strong, productive and enduring relationship.

The set-up of the work group was announced after the fifth working meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia on Wednesday.

A joint statement said the committee also reviewed the progress made so far by the Joint Work Groups on Immigration, Transportation, Tourism, and Environment.

A study has been commissioned to assess the feasibility of nature sites for joint tourism development, which can potentially increase tourism flows between Iskandar Malaysia and Singapore.

The study sites are Sungai Pulai, Tanjung Piai and Pulau Kukup - collectively known as the Ramsar sites in Iskandar Malaysia - and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in Singapore.

On the immigration front, the pilot of the Malaysian Automated Clearance System that gives frequent travellers to Iskandar Malaysia access to "fast track" lanes was extended to all frequent travellers to Malaysia in September.

Both sides also agreed to double the cross-border bus services by January 2010.

The joint ministerial committee will meet again in the first half of 2010 to review the progress of the joint work groups. - CNA /ls

Singapore-KL work group for Iskandar project
Teo Cheng Wee, Straits Times 5 Nov 09;

SINGAPORE and Malaysia formed a work group yesterday to study the joint development of an iconic economic project in Iskandar.

Working together on an iconic project in the Johor economic zone was one of the key issues discussed when Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in Singapore in May.

The bilateral project was mooted as a showcase of the commitment of both countries to build a strong, productive and enduring relationship, the two countries' Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) for Iskandar Malaysia said yesterday.

At the meeting in May, Mr Lee had suggested a mixed-use township development, while Datuk Seri Najib was keen on a wellness centre that could provide spas and other services.

But what the project will eventually be has not been finalised.

Yesterday's meeting at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Singapore was the fifth for the JMC. It was formed in 2007 with the aim of facilitating cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore on the Iskandar project.

The meeting was jointly chaired by National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan and Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, Malaysia's Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

The committee also includes Johor chief minister Ghani Othman and Singapore's Transport Minister Raymond Lim. The JMC also reviewed the progress made by four sub-groups on immigration, transportation, tourism and the environment.

A study has been commissioned to assess the feasibility of jointly developing nature sites as tourism spots.

On the immigration front, the pilot test of the Malaysian Automated Clearance System - which gives frequent travellers to Iskandar Malaysia access to 'fast track' lanes - was extended to all frequent travellers to Malaysia in September.

Both countries also agreed to double cross-border bus services by next January. The JMC will meet again in the first half of next year.