Enhancing connectivity, as economic integration takes shape

PUTRAJAYA — The high speed rail link between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur will likely run between the Republic’s western region or its city centre to Sungai Besi, which has been earmarked by the Malaysian government for redevelopment into a mixed use community and commercial district.

The rail link is targeted for completion by 2020. Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said today (April 7) after a meeting with Malaysian Premier Najib Razak that the three possible locations for the Singapore terminal station are Tuas West, Jurong East or the city centre. Malaysia has decided on where to locate its terminal and the Republic will make its decision within the next year or so, Mr Lee said.

However, while locating the station in the heavily built-up city centre will be ideal, “it is very difficult to do so”, he added.

Mr Lee said: “The expense would be very high — you have to tunnel a long way, and to find a sufficiently big plot in the city, in order to build the railway station.”

On the 2020 target, both leaders acknowledged that it was ambitious and challenging to meet. Nevertheless, they are sticking to it for now. Mr Najib said: “It is too early for us to revise the timeline at this stage. But we have in mind that it is ambitious ... it was designed to be ambitious to begin with.”

The meeting between Mr Lee and Mr Najib is part of a two-day retreat, where Singapore leaders met their Malaysian counterparts to review progress in bilateral relations and discuss ways to further enhance bilateral cooperation across a wide range of areas.

LEADERS SATISFIED WITH PROGRESS OF ISKANDAR MALAYSIA

An area of cooperation that is closely watched by investors is the development of Iskandar Malaysia. And the two leaders noted their satisfaction with progress on that front.

In particular, the Industrial Cooperation Work Group under the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia has been jointly developing industries with synergistic activities on both sides of the Causeway. A joint statement by Mr Lee and Mr Najib cited the decision of United Kingdom-based metal-stockist Howco Group to build a US$20 million (S$25.2 million) heat treatment facility in Iskandar Malaysia to complement its Singapore operations.

The two leaders also welcomed the development of the new Nusajaya Tech Park, which is a joint venture between Ascendas and UEM Sunrise. The 210-hectare Tech Park will cater to both multinational corporations and local small and medium enterprises in industries such as precision engineering, electronics, light and clean manufacturing, as well as warehousing and logistics. The Nusajaya Tech Park is expected to create jobs in high-tech industries.

Mr Lee noted the tangible benefits that Iskandar Malaysia will bring to both countries. “The great advantage of Iskandar Malaysia is that it’s across the Straits of Johor, and that means that you can tap on what Singapore offers, in terms of infrastructure, in terms of financial services, in terms of industrial base,” said Mr Lee.

He said that Iskandar Malaysia also provides options for companies based in the Republic which are looking to expand, as well as firms which Singapore is unable to accommodate due to its land constraints. “We are upgrading our manufacturing (sector) ... our economy but there are many projects which want to come, which we are not able to accommodate in Singapore,” he said. “When we have a good project, we can talk to Iskandar or talk to MIDA (Malaysian Investment Development Authority) and they can look at it and see whether it fits into Malaysia’s plans.”

Mr Lee and Mr Najib reiterated the strategic importance of Iskandar Malaysia to both countries and its contribution to bilateral cooperation and economic integration.

FASTER BORDER CHECKS

To facilitate the cross border movement of goods and people, the priority is to further improve the processes at land checkpoints.

While a Friendship Bridge — which will be a third road link between the two countries — and a co-located Customs, Immigration & Quarantine facility were mooted during the meetings, Mr Lee said the present preoccupation is to improve the flow at land checkpoints. He noted that during mornings, motorists have to wait up to one or two hours in the queue.

“In the long term, I can imagine and foresee that at some point, we need to widen the links across the Straits of Johor,” said Mr Lee, who added that both countries should study how an “iconic symbol” of the two countries’ close ties could be developed for motorists to enter Malaysia’s south from Singapore.

Mr Najib said the current capacity of the Causeway will not be sufficient for future requirements. On the possible timeline for the Friendship Bridge, he said: “We’ll decide as and when that will happen. But let’s just say it’s a long term project.”

During his meeting with Mr Najib, Mr Lee also expressed his sympathies over the loss of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. “I thank Mr Najib for hosting (the retreat) particularly at this difficult time for Malaysia,” said Mr Lee, adding that Singapore stands ready to help Malaysia in the next phase of investigations.

Noting that Singapore was among the first countries to offer its help, Mr Najib expressed Malaysia’s gratitude and appreciation of the Republic’s prompt assistance in search and rescue operations.

The leaders’ retreat was started in May 2007 by former Malaysian Premier Abdullah Badawi and Mr Lee in Langkawi. The retreat next year will be held in Singapore.

This story was powered by Samsung

http://www.samsung.com.sg