# 11th Malaysia-Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee Meeting for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM)

- **Source:** Ministry of National Development
- **Published:** 2015-02-06T06:00:00.000Z
- **Author:** Ministry of National Development
- **Original:** https://www.mnd.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/view/11th-malaysia-singapore-joint-ministerial-committee-meeting-for-iskandar-malaysia-jmcim
- **Topics:** Investment & Capital Markets

## Featured rationale

Strong Avira bookings and improving transport connectivity signal cross-border interest that could support development activity and buyer demand within Iskandar Malaysia.

## AI summary

Malaysia and Singapore advanced cross-border transport planning while 80% of phase-one units at Iskandar Malaysia’s Avira development had been booked.

## Original article

Putrajaya, 6th February 2015 

The Malaysia-Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM) met for its eleventh working meeting in Putrajaya. The meeting was co-chaired by YB Dato' Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, Malaysia's Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and H.E Minister Khaw Boon Wan, Singapore's Minister for National Development. Also present were the Menteri Besar of Johor, YAB Dato' Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Singapore's Minister for Transport, H.E Minister Lui Tuck Yew. Senior officials from both countries were also present. 

At the meeting, Singapore and Malaysia reaffirmed the progress of Iskandar Malaysia and reiterated their commitment to its continued development. Since the formation of the High Speed Rail (HSR) Work Group in Dec 2013, several sub work groups have been tasked to look into the technical intricacies of the rail system that would be adopted, as well as the operating and financing models. The JMCIM looks forward to Singapore's announcement of the HSR terminus at the upcoming Leaders' Retreat. 

The Transportation Links Work Group (TLWG) continues to work on strengthening transport connectivity. The TLWG has also increased the quota for cross-border bus services from the current 16 to a total of 20 services and is reviewing new landing points in both countries to enhance the cross-border bus network. On the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, the second phase of the Joint Engineering Study on the RTS Link will begin after the terminus location in Johor Bahru has been determined. 

The JMCIM noted that the Industrial Cooperation Work Group (ICWG)’s four areas of collaboration in Advanced Materials Engineering (AME), Electronics, Food and Creative Services had achieved good progress. For AME and Electronics, the ICWG is exploring ways to strengthen the Singapore-Malaysia ecosystems. For food, the rapid growth of the halal food sector globally offers excellent opportunities for Singapore-based companies to work together with Malaysia, a leading player in this sector. For Creative Services, the ICWG is exploring ways to work together on production opportunities for films. 

The Immigration Work Group (IWG) has continued to make progress in terms of facilitating cross-border movement of people and goods. To increase Singapore users’ take-up rate for the new Malaysian Automated Clearance System (MACS) which was developed for fast-track immigration clearance, a new MACS application centre was established in January 2015 under the umbrella of the One Stop Centre (OSC) of Visa Malaysia Application Centre in Singapore. In addition, all manual counters and the automated single-rider clearance system for motorcyclists will be converted to allow the simultaneous automated self-immigration clearance of both rider and pillion (BIKES II) at the Singapore land checkpoints by end 2016. 

The JMCIM noted the progress made by the Iconic Project Work Group (IPWG). The Afiniti Medini (urban wellness development) and Avira (resort wellness development) projects are well on track. At Avira, 80% of the units for phase one have been booked. At Afiniti Medini, the key anchor tenants are expected to commence operations by early 2016. 

The Tourism Work Group (TWG) continues to enjoy a close working relationship. Joint site inspections to the three Ramsar Johor sites and the newly opened Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Extension in Singapore were recently held. As part of the twinning initiative for Sungei Buloh and Pulau Kukup, the TWG will jointly develop collaterals which will promote and provide visitors information on the two wetlands. Over the next two years, the TWG will continue to explore collaborations in events, MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Conference, Exhibitions) initiatives and student programmes. 

The JMCIM agreed to the revised Terms of Reference (TOR) for Environment Work Group (EWG) since most of the identified action plans for river cleaning in Iskandar Malaysia have been implemented and are well on track. Under the revised TOR, both sides shall look into environmental education, waste and resource management, energy efficiency and air quality management as the new areas for knowledge-sharing and capacity-building under the EWG.

## Chinese translation

> Translation model: grok_cli

### 第11届马来西亚—新加坡依斯干达马来西亚联合部长委员会会议（JMCIM）

布城，2015年2月6日

马来西亚—新加坡依斯干达马来西亚联合部长委员会（JMCIM）在布城举行第11次工作会议。会议由马来西亚首相署部长YB拿督斯里阿都华希奥马与新加坡国家发展部长许文远阁下共同主持。柔佛州务大臣YAB拿督莫哈末卡立诺丁及新加坡交通部长吕德耀阁下亦有出席。两国高级官员亦在场。

会上，新加坡与马来西亚重申依斯干达马来西亚的进展，并再次确认继续推动其发展的承诺。自2013年12月成立高速铁路（HSR）工作组以来，多个分组获委派研究将采用的铁路系统技术细节，以及营运与融资模式。JMCIM期待新加坡在即将举行的领导人非正式会晤上公布高速铁路终点站事宜。

交通衔接工作组（TLWG）继续致力于加强交通互联互通。TLWG亦已将跨境巴士服务配额由目前的16条增至合共20条，并正检讨两国新的登岸点，以完善跨境巴士网络。关于捷运系统（RTS）连接线，在柔佛峇鲁终点站位置确定后，RTS连接线联合工程研究第二阶段将展开。

JMCIM注意到产业合作工作组（ICWG）在先进材料工程（AME）、电子、食品及创意服务四个合作领域取得良好进展。就AME及电子领域，ICWG正探讨如何强化新马生态系统。就食品领域，全球清真食品行业快速增长，为新加坡企业与该领域领先的马来西亚合作提供了绝佳机会。就创意服务领域，ICWG正探讨在电影制作机会方面携手合作。

移民工作组（IWG）在便利人员与货物跨境流动方面持续取得进展。为提高新加坡用户对新马来西亚自动通关系统（MACS，专为快速移民通关而开发）的使用率，2015年1月在新加坡Visa Malaysia Application Centre一站式中心（OSC）旗下设立了新的MACS申请中心。此外，至2016年底，新加坡陆路关卡所有人工柜台及摩托车手自动单人通关系统将改装为允许骑士与后座乘客同时自动自助移民通关（BIKES II）。

JMCIM注意到标志性项目工作组（IPWG）取得的进展。Afiniti Medini（城市康养发展项目）及Avira（度假康养发展项目）进展顺利。Avira第一期单位已有80%获预订。Afiniti Medini的主要锚定租户预计于2016年初开始营运。

旅游工作组（TWG）继续保持密切合作关系。近日已联合实地考察柔佛三处拉姆萨尔湿地及新加坡新开放的双溪布洛湿地保护区扩建部分。作为双溪布洛与龟咯岛结对计划的一部分，TWG将共同编制宣传及游客资讯物料，推广并介绍这两处湿地。未来两年，TWG将继续探讨在活动、MICE（会议、奖励旅游、大会、展览）项目及学生计划方面的合作。

鉴于依斯干达马来西亚河道清理方面多数既定行动计划已落实且进展顺利，JMCIM同意修订环境工作组（EWG）的职权范围（TOR）。根据修订后的TOR，双方将以环境教育、废弃物与资源管理、能源效率及空气质量管理作为EWG知识共享与能力建设的新领域。