SINGAPORE, Nov 30 — The infrastructure expansion of the Johor-Singapore Causeway is possible, but it will require detailed plans and coordination between both sides, according to the republic’s Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.
“Theoretically, is it possible? The answer is yes, but there will be a lot of details to coordinate,” he responded when asked about any possibility for the infrastructure to be expanded, during a fireside chat session with participants of the Malaysian Journalists’ Visit Programme (MJVP) held here recently.
He noted that despite being more than a century old, the Causeway’s durability continues to serve both countries well.
“I am glad our ancestors built all this infrastructure, the pipes, roads and systems here that have been around for over 100 years. In this modern age, you change your phone or computer every few years. The fact that the Causeway was built to last… it is admirable.
“… I am a believer in economic integration and Asean integration, and there is no closer relationship than that between Singapore and Malaysia in the heart of Southeast Asia. We must make this work.
“If we cannot, then other countries in Asean, which have even greater challenges, will struggle to integrate themselves. So let us work on it,” he said.
Balakrisnhan noted that the scale and nature of movement across the Causeway make border management far more complex compared to air travel.
“At an airport, every flight is scheduled, and you know exactly how many passengers are coming.
