SINGAPORE — While Singapore and Malaysia enjoy a “very close” relationship, the two countries are different and both sides can further strengthen ties with deeper interactions, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

“Our societies are different — values, cultures and the way we look at the world,” he said in an interview with Malaysian state news agency Bernama.

“To improve the relationship, we have to understand each other other better, have more intimate interactions to appreciate each other’s perspectives and be able to cooperate despite the contrasts.”

This is important not only at the leaders’ and officials’ level, but also at the peoples’ level, he added.

“The more we see one another and the more we work together on win-win cooperation, the better prospects for friendship and for harmonious relations.”

Speaking to Bernama chairman Azman Ujang on Monday, Mr Lee cited the proposed Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) as an example of how both sides are working together to deepen ties.

“It is not just economic benefits, but it will make it easier for people to go back and forth...That can only be for good,” he said.

He noted that while the project is an ambitious and complicated one, there is “good will” to make it succeed.

“We have to try our best to anticipate what the likely issues are, when we build it, when we operate it, and have a clear understanding on how we will deal with it if a situation arises,” Mr Lee said.

Singapore and Malaysia have been discussing an agreement for over a year on how the project will be structured and executed by both sides.

“We have made very good progress. We are almost there, and I hope that when I meet Prime Minister Najib (Razak) at the next retreat, we will be able to sign the agreement,” said Mr Lee.

He added that beyond the agreement, the project’s execution will be very important - designing it, calling for tenders, evaluating the proposals.

“Several high-speed rail systems in the world have been lobbying very hard to get this contract - the Japanese, the Koreans, the Chinese high-speed rail,” he noted.

“Each has its strengths, and we will have a very difficult decision evaluating the bidders who come along and deciding which one is the best overall.”

Mr Lee was also asked if a third bridge between Singapore and Malaysia is necessary or viable.

He said there are no plans for it at the moment.

“We are not currently planning for a third bridge,” he said. “I have seen some statements in Malaysia suggesting one, but the high-speed rail is a very ambitious project. I would focus all my energies doing that one before we launch a new big project.”