SINGAPORE \u2013 Singapore and Malaysia have inked an additional deal on the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link. <\/p>\n
The two countries will also conduct more joint activities and exercises as they strengthen collaboration in their fight against the trafficking of illicit drugs and work together more on healthcare under agreements exchanged on Dec 4.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim witnessed the exchange during the 12th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders\u2019 Retreat held at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore hotel.<\/p>\n
At a press conference following the exchange, PM Wong spoke about various successful joint projects the two countries have shared in recent years, including \u201cgood progress\u201d on the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, and Malaysia\u2019s formal agreement to Singapore opening consulates in the eastern states of Sabah and Sarawak. <\/p>\n
He added that there is \u201ctremendous potential for this to grow further \u2013 we have only just begun\u201d especially with the upcoming RTS Link. <\/p>\n
On the new deal, PM Wong said it will \u201cfacilitate preparations for co-located CIQ (customs, immigration, and quarantine facilities) and the eventual operationalisation of the RTS Link\u201d.<\/p>\n
He added that officials are discussing improvements to the cross-border taxi scheme to provide more convenient options to commuters from both sides.<\/p>\n
The two prime ministers also discussed outstanding bilateral issues including airspace, water and maritime borders, PM Wong said. <\/p>\n
Officials on both sides have had several rounds of discussions, and a better understanding of each other\u2019s position but will still need time to resolve them. \u201cAll of these outstanding bilateral issues are complex issues. There are differences in views, and they are not easy to resolve, but as good neighbors, we will continue engaging in good faith,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
On water, PM Wong said both sides have \u201cwithout prejudice to one another\u2019s positions\u201d opened discussions on the price of raw and treated water. <\/p>\n
Both countries have a shared interest to increase the yield and safeguard the water quality of the Johor River and to guard against extreme weather changes and disruption scenarios, PM Wong said. <\/p>\n
They also want to meet growing needs in Johor, and Singapore\u2019s needs as provided for under the 1962 Water Agreement, he added.<\/p>\n
He also recapped the discussions on airspace and maritime boundaries.<\/p>\n
PM Wong added that there has been \u201cgood momentum\u201d in the partnership between the two countries on energy, citing approval by Singapore\u2019s Energy Market Authority to import low-carbon electricity from Sarawak. <\/p>\n
The two countries are also planning to expand the capacity for cross-border electricity trade through a second electricity interconnector.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThese projects will bring us closer to a low-carbon future, create economic opportunities, and support the development of the Asean power grid.\u201d It is scheduled for completion by 2045. <\/p>\n
The two countries, who are also celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations, will also exchange more information on the trends and techniques used in the production, abuse, trafficking and illicit diversion of drugs.<\/p>\n
On healthcare, both countries have agreed to strengthen cooperation in research and policy exchange. <\/p>\n
More exchange of knowledge and best practices, as well as cross-border visits of experts and officials is also on the cards as part of the agreement which covers collaboration on digital health, health financing, public health and long-term care and healthy ageing, amongst others. <\/p>\n
This is the second annual retreat PM Wong and Datuk Seri Anwar \u2013 who are both also the finance ministers of their countries \u2013 have attended as heads of government. <\/p>\n
In a Facebook post earlier on Dec 4, Mr Anwar said the annual meeting is an important platform for the leaders of both countries to enhance cooperation. <\/p>\n
Writing in Malay, he added that he is confident that closer and stronger diplomatic relations with Singapore \u2013 a close neighbour and \u201can Asean friend\u201d \u2013 will benefit the citizens of both countries. <\/p>\n
The previous retreat was held on Jan 6 and 7 in Putrajaya, Malaysia\u2019s administrative capital, where the pair witnessed the exchange of an agreement on the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, and pledged to collaborate in areas like education, energy and shared heritage. <\/p>\n
PM Wong also said then that progress has been made on the complex issues between the two countries, but both sides need more time to resolve them.<\/p>\n
Outstanding issues include airspace, water and the delimitation of maritime boundaries.<\/p>\n Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (centre, left) and Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Dec 4, after Datuk Seri Anwar’s arrival in the Republic.<\/p>\n PHOTO: PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE OF MALAYSIA<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Mr Anwar said the final settlement of these issues should be a \u201cwin-win sort of position\u201d.<\/p>\n The 11th retreat was meant to be held in December 2024 but was postponed to January 2025 after PM Wong contracted Covid-19.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/picture><\/div>