NEO CHAI CHIN Today Online 6 May 15;
SINGAPORE — The two neighbours are working well together, and leaders of Singapore and Malaysia emerged from their annual retreat yesterday (May 5) saying that the friendship and cooperation would continue.
Aside from the “game-changing” high-speed-rail link between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his Malaysian counterpart, Mr Najib Razak, as well as their delegations discussed issues related to the Causeway and the Johor River Barrage.
Singapore is automating all motorcycle counters at the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints by the end of next year, up from about a quarter of all counters currently, said both leaders in a joint statement.
Automated counters at the Singapore checkpoint will speed up motorcycle immigration clearance by up to 30 per cent and help reduce congestion for all checkpoint users, they said.
Malaysia also plans to introduce automated motorcycle counters, and is studying the introduction of radio frequency identification stickers in passports for Malaysian motorcyclists to allow for faster self-clearance at the Causeway.
Both sides are working towards increasing train services between Johor Baru and the Woodlands train checkpoint.
Singapore is also developing a BioScreen project to capture and tag biometric identifiers of visitors. The move is intended to facilitate immigration clearance at its checkpoints.
Both Prime Ministers, who held a joint press conference, stressed that security cannot be compromised.
Asked if the “Friendship Bridge” — a proposed third link between Singapore and Johor in addition to the Causeway and Tuas Second Link — was discussed, Mr Lee said it is something the Republic will study for the long term “as our existing links max out and the capacity needs to be expanded”.
On water cooperation, Mr Lee thanked Mr Najib for “good cooperation” between Singapore’s national water agency PUB and Johor’s water regulating body BAKAJ, and for the Malaysian Premier’s support of the Johor River Barrage project.
The barrage will keep out saltwater intrusions during dry seasons and allow Singapore and Johor to draw on the full capacity of the river.
The project has been delayed because of wet weather, said Mr Lee, but both leaders reaffirmed the importance of its timely completion to ensure reliable water supply from the Johor River, as provided for under the 1962 Water Agreement.
Both Prime Ministers also noted progress of the M+S projects in Marina South and the Ophir-Rochor area in Singapore, as well as of Iskandar Malaysia, which are seeing “good support from the market”.
M+S is a joint venture owned by Temasek Holdings and Malaysia’s Khazanah Nasional.
The two leaders welcomed discussions on loan of artworks through the National Gallery Singapore and the National Visual Arts Gallery of Malaysia. The Titian Budaya Singapore-Malaysia Cultural Showcase will also be held this year in Kuala Lumpur to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
At the press conference, Mr Lee also noted how both sides have “been helping each other quietly in times of need”. Malaysia helped bring some Singaporeans back from war-torn Yemen recently, while Singapore helped some Malaysians return from Kathmandu in Nepal when a deadly earthquake struck over a week ago.
Singapore, Malaysia ink agreements on urban search and rescue, ferry services
Hetty Musfirah Abdul Khamid, Channel NewsAsia 5 May 15;
SINGAPORE: Singapore and Malaysia will deepen their cooperation in urban search and rescue capabilities.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on this was inked between the Singapore Civil Defence Force and Malaysian National Security Council on Tuesday (May 5), as part of the Annual Singapore-Malaysia Leaders' Retreat.
The MOU seeks to further strengthen and promote cooperation between the two agencies in terms of training, techniques and information-sharing pertaining to urban search and rescue (USAR) and disaster management.
PLANS FOR MORE FERRY SERVICES
Additionally, Singapore and Malaysia are planning to provide more ferry services between the countries. The supplementary agreement was signed between the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore and the Johor Port Authority on Tuesday.
The supplementary agreement provides for the possibility of additional ferry services between Peninsular Malaysia and Changi Bay North.
Currently, under an agreement signed in 1993, there are ferry services between Changi Ferry Terminal and Tanjung Belungkor in southeastern Johor.
- CNA/xq
Summary of bilateral relations between Singapore and Malaysia
AsiaOne 5 May 15;
SINGAPORE - The Prime Ministers of Singapore and Malaysia met on Tuesday to discuss bilateral relations and partnerships during the annual leaders' retreat in Singapore.
Ministers from the neighbouring countries also met on the sidelines of the 6th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders' Retreat to enhance bilateral co-operation.
The next 7th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders' Retreat will take place in Malaysia next year.
Here are the key points that were discussed between Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Prime Minister Najib Razak:
Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) project
The Singapore HSR terminus will be sited at Jurong East, which fits with Singapore's overall plans to transform the area into its second Central Business District. The target date to complete the HSR project by 2020 will have to be re-assessed given the scale and complexity of the project, according to a joint statement released by both countries. Read more here. http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/singapore-malaysia-push-back-deadline-high-speed-rail-link
Iskandar Malaysia - Transport
Besides the HSR project, the Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia (JMC) is exploring measures to enhance connectivity between the two countries, such as reducing congestion at the Causeway and the Singapore-Malaysia Second Link.
Technology will play a big role to achieve this goal, with Singapore fully automating clearance for the motorcycle counters at the Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints by 2016, up from the current 25 per cent. This will speed up motorcycle immigration clearance by up to 30 per cent.
Train services between Johor Bahru and Woodlands Train Checkpoint will also be increased while biometric features will be added at checkpoints to facilitate immigration clearance.
Additionally, there are plans to increase the number of ferry services between Singapore and Malaysia.
Iskandar Malaysia - Economy
Singapore and Malaysia will work towards implementing the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) measures by the end of this year and deepen economic integration beyond 2015.
The AEC seeks to transform ASEAN into a region with free movement of goods, services, investment, skilled labour, and freer flow of capital by 2015.
The Industrial Cooperation Work Group (ICWG) under the JMC will also look to enhance synergy between Singapore and Malaysia in certain sectors, strengthening the Singapore-Malaysia ecosystem in the process.
Defence and Homeland Cooperation
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and Malaysian National Security Council (NSC) inked a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Developing Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) at the sidelines. This will strengthen and promote co-operation between the two agencies on USAR training, procedures and doctrines.
Earlier in March, Defence Ministers from both countries signed a letter of intent to step up co-operation through intelligence exchanges, and addressing common security concerns such as the threat of ISIS to the region between the two defence establishments.
Manpower
ITE Education Services (ITEES), which is owned by the Institute of Technical Education, will be collaborating with Malaysia's Ministry of Youth and Sports to promote Technical and Vocational Education and Training, with the aim to create a skilled labour force.
Tourism
The Sarawak State Government and Singapore are currently working on the Sematan Riviera cruise project.
Water
Works are underway to ensure the timely completion of the Johor River Barrage. This will ensure a reliable water supply to Singapore from the Johor River as provided under the 1962 Water Agreement.
Haze
Malaysia and Singapore, which are both affected by the recurring haze pollution, will continue to exchange information to prevent and suppress land and forest fires. Both countries will also seek to strengthen the implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution.
Arts
To mark fifty years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Malaysia, there will be a Titian Budaya Singapore-Malaysia Cultural Showcase held in Kuala Lumpur in 2015.
The National Gallery Singapore and the National Visual Arts Gallery of Malaysia will also be exchanging artworks as part of arrangements to deepen arts and culture collaboration.
Malaysia awaiting Singapore nod on rail project and friendship bridge
Mergawati Zulfakar The Star/Asia News Network AsiaOne 5 May 15;
SINGAPORE - Malaysia and Singapore leaders started their sixth retreat yesterday to review current co-operation and explore new initiatives amid the backdrop of the best level of bilateral ties in recent years.
Malaysia's High Commissioner to Singapore Datuk Husni Zai Yaacob said Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is expected to announce today the Singapore terminal for the High Speed Rail Project between the republic and Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia has already announced Bandar Malaysia in Sungai Besi as the country's terminal during the leaders' retreat last year.
The HSR will reportedly cost RM40bil and cut rail travel time between Kuala Lumpur and Singa-pore from six hours to just 90 minutes.
The 330km rail line is expected to be completed by 2020 with five transit stops spread out across Negri Sembilan, Malacca and Johor.
This year also marks the 50th year of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Singapore.
The retreat kicked off with Lee hosting a private dinner for Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.
During their four-eyed meeting today, the Malaysian-proposed friendship bridge, which is to replace the Causeway, is expected to be discussed.
Najib has proposed for the bridge last year and so far there has been no official response from Lee.
"I believe the bridge is to be discussed but can't anticipate the outcome of the meeting because it is still in the initial stage.
"This speed train project involves two countries, a lot of issues need to be discussed, so we can expect more details to be announced at the retreat," Husni added.
Both leaders will witness the signing of an MoU between the National Security Council and Singapore Civil Defence on Co-Operation in Developing Urban Search and Rescue Capabilities and Supplemental Agreement to the Agreement for the Construction and Operation of a Ferry Terminal and the Operation of a Ferry Service between Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore.
He said the connectivity between Johor Baru and Woodland will be better as KTM Berhad is increasing the frequency from four to 16 times.
"Each trip can easily accommodate 300 passengers and it is a popular mode of transportation for Malaysians and Singaporeans," Husni told reporters here.
Najib is also scheduled to meet the representatives of the Malaysian Association in Singapore and attend a dialogue session with top business leaders and others in Singapore.
Before departing, the Prime Minister will deliver a keynote address at the Economic Society of Singapore annual dinner.
