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Joint Statement from Malaysia-Singapore Leaders' Retreat
Asiaone
Wednesday, Feb 20, 2013
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak met yesterday for their 4th Leaders' Retreat.
The two leaders affirmed the strong bilateral relations and also announced, among others, plans for a high-speed rail link between KL and Singapore.
This is the joint statement issued after the two met for bilateral talks this morning.
Joint statement by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Prime Minister Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak at the Singapore-Malaysia Leaders' Retreat in Singapore on February 19, 2013
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Prime Minister Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak met in Singapore on February 19, 2013 for the Singapore-Malaysia Leaders' Retreat. The Prime Ministers welcomed the excellent progress in bilateral relations since the Putrajaya Retreat in January 2012, and reaffirmed their commitment to a stronger and mutually beneficial partnership, especially amidst an uncertain global economy.
The Leaders noted the progress of the joint developments by Khazanah Nasional Berhad and Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited in Singapore (by M+S Pte Ltd) and in Iskandar Malaysia (by Pulau Indah Ventures Sdn Bhd). These are strategic projects that reflect the high degree of trust and complementarity between both countries. In Singapore, the Prime Ministers witnessed the unveiling of the Marina One project in Marina South and received an update on the DUO project in Ophir-Rochor. In Malaysia, they also witnessed the ground-breaking and unveiling of the Urban Wellness project in Medini North, as well as the unveiling of the Resort Wellness project in Medini Central.
Recognising that a dynamic and successful Iskandar Malaysia benefited both Malaysia and Singapore, the Leaders agreed to intensify existing cooperation and explore new ways to leverage on the complementarities between Singapore and Iskandar Malaysia. In this regard, the Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction at the work of the Iskandar Malaysia Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC), including the final composition and Terms of Reference of the Industrial Cooperation Work Group.
They also agreed to strengthen connectivity between Singapore and Malaysia, such as through the Rapid Transit System Link, for which Phase 1 of the Joint Engineering Study is nearing completion. They also welcomed the initiative by the JMC to study measures to address traffic and congestion issues on the Causeway, as well as the feasibility of a third road link between the two countries in the longer-term.
The Prime Ministers agreed to build a High Speed Rail link between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. This is a strategic development in bilateral relations that will dramatically improve the connectivity between Malaysia and Singapore. It will usher in a new era of strong growth, prosperity, and opportunities for both countries. It will facilitate seamless travel between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, enhance business linkages, and bring the peoples of Malaysia and Singapore closer together. Ultimately, this project will give both countries greater stakes in each other's prosperity and success. The Leaders tasked the JMC to look into the details and modalities of the High Speed Rail link.
The Prime Ministers took note of the expected commencement in 2013 of operations of the new ferry terminal and Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) facilities in Puteri Harbour. Ferry services will be operating between Puteri Harbour and Singapore, subject to the regulators' evaluation of the services. The Prime Ministers agreed that the JMC will continue to explore further links to improve connectivity between both countries.