# 16th Meeting of the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia - **Source:** Ministry of National Development - **Published:** 2023-07-14T10:00:00.000Z - **Author:** Ministry of National Development - **Original:** https://www.mnd.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/view/singapore-and-malaysia-agree-to-study-establishing-a-johor-singapore-special-economic-zone - **Topics:** Commercial & Industrial, Government & Policy, Investment & Capital Markets ## Featured rationale A special economic zone with stronger infrastructure and connectivity could attract further investment and employment, potentially lifting demand across Iskandar’s property segments. ## AI summary Singapore and Malaysia agreed to establish a task force to study a Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone after RM5.1 billion of cumulative Iskandar investments. ## Original article JOINT PRESS STATEMENT Singapore and Malaysia Agree to Study Establishing a Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone 16th Meeting of the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia Looks to Further the Frontier for Bilateral Cooperation between Singapore and Malaysia 3 The JMCIM agreed to set up a special task force to study the JS-SEZ. The task force will work out the Terms of Reference and broad areas of collaboration for the JS-SEZ. The special task force will be led by the Ministry of Trade & Industry from Singapore and Ministry of Economy from Malaysia, with the support of relevant government agencies from Singapore and Malaysia. The special task force will provide a progress update at the 10th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat to be held in Singapore later this year. 4 The JMCIM noted that the JS-SEZ will build on the foundation set by the various work groups to (a) drive sustainable growth; (b) develop human capital; and (c) improve infrastructure and connectivity. Driving growth in a sustainable manner 5 Since the re-opening of international borders following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Industrial Cooperation Work Group (ICWG) has been involved in attracting cumulative investments worth RM5.1 billion which are expected to create some 1,700 quality, well-paying jobs locally in Iskandar Malaysia. 6 The JMCIM has also reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable growth and noted that the Environment Work Group (EWG) is working to refresh its Terms of Reference to cover a wider range of cooperation issues. This is on top of the EWG’s existing capacity-building activities through joint workshops for government and industry players. Enhancing human capital and strengthening people-to-people ties. 7 Under the ICWG, both sides will continue to discuss efforts to develop technical and vocational training programmes to meet industry’s demand for skilled talent in Iskandar Malaysia, potentially through link-ups between institutes of higher learning in Johor and Singapore. 8 The Innovation Work Group (INWG) has facilitated a series of private sector exchanges amongst start-ups, for example through Malaysia’s participation in Singapore’s Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH). The INWG has also identified potential areas for further collaboration, including in robotics, drones, autonomous vehicle testing, artificial intelligence, and blockchain. 9 The Tourism Work Group (TWG) will continue to explore new opportunities to promote cross-border travel and people-to-people exchanges. To leverage on and bolster Singapore’s and Johor’s shared heritage, the TWG is exploring potential collaboration on cultural trails and joint events. Improving infrastructure and connectivity. 10 The Transportation Links Work Group (TLWG) and Immigration Work Group (IWG) have worked closely to strengthen infrastructure and cross-border connectivity between Singapore and Johor. 11 Transport and immigration agencies have worked with cross-border bus operators to increase bus frequencies during peak periods. This has reduced waiting times for bus commuters travelling across both the Causeway and the Second Link. 12 To improve sea connectivity, a new ferry service between Singapore and Tanjung Pengelih was launched in December 2022. This follows the commencement of the ferry service between Singapore and Desaru in July 2022. Both ferry services have been well-received by commuters from Singapore and Malaysia. Building on the good cooperation in this area, commercial operators in Singapore and Malaysia will be starting discussions to assess the commercial viability of a potential new ferry service between Puteri Harbour and Tuas. 13 To improve existing rail connectivity, the TLWG has agreed in principle to increase the frequency of the KTM Tebrau Shuttle from 31 to 36 daily train trips. The new schedule will commence once agencies on both sides work out further details. 14 The JMCIM also noted the good progress of works on the Johor Bahru- Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link on both sides. 15 In line with both countries’ commitment to better manage congestion at the land checkpoints, the JMCIM welcomed Malaysia’s enhancements to the Malaysian Automated Clearance System (MACS 2.0) since January 2023 and Malaysia’s plans to install additional lanes under the Malaysian Citizen Motorcyclists programme (MBIKE 2.0). The JMCIM also welcomed Singapore’s three-pronged approach, comprising real-time dynamic traffic management, further automation of clearance processes, and longer-term plans to redevelop and expand Woodlands Checkpoint to increase throughput and smoothen cross-border movement of people and goods. 16 The JMCIM looks forward to meeting again soon in Malaysia to sustain the positive momentum of bilateral collaboration. YB Tuan Mohd Rafizi Ramli Minister of Economy, Malaysia Mr. Desmond Lee Minister for National Development, Singapore YAB Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi Menteri Besar of Johor, Malaysia Mr. Chee Hong Tat Acting Minister for Transport, Singapore **** ## Chinese translation > Translation model: grok_cli ### 马来西亚–新加坡伊斯干达马来西亚联合部长委员会第16次会议 联合新闻声明 新加坡与马来西亚同意研究设立柔佛–新加坡经济特区 马来西亚–新加坡伊斯干达马来西亚联合部长委员会第16次会议着眼于进一步拓展新马双边合作边疆 3 联合部长委员会（JMCIM）同意成立特别工作组，研究柔佛–新加坡经济特区（JS-SEZ）。该工作组将拟定职权范围及JS-SEZ的广泛合作领域。特别工作组将由新加坡贸工部与马来西亚经济部牵头，并获新马相关政府机构支持。特别工作组将在今年稍后于新加坡举行的第10次新马领导人务虚会上汇报进展。 4 联合部长委员会指出，JS-SEZ将建立在各工作组奠定的基础上，以（a）推动可持续增长；（b）发展人力资本；以及（c）改善基础设施与连通性。 以可持续方式推动增长 5 自新冠疫情后国际边境重新开放以来，工业合作工作组（ICWG）已参与吸引累计价值51亿令吉的投资，预计将在伊斯干达马来西亚当地创造约1,700个优质、薪酬良好的就业岗位。 6 联合部长委员会也重申对可持续增长的承诺，并指出环境工作组（EWG）正着手更新职权范围，以涵盖更广泛的合作议题。这是在该工作组现有通过为政府与业界举办联合工作坊开展能力建设活动之外进行的。 加强人力资本并深化民心相通。 7 在工业合作工作组下，双方将继续讨论发展技术与职业教育培训计划的努力，以满足伊斯干达马来西亚产业对技能人才的需求，可能通过柔佛与新加坡高等学府之间的对接实现。 8 创新工作组（INWG）已促进一系列私营企业之间的初创企业交流，例如马来西亚参与新加坡的创新与科技周（SWITCH）。创新工作组也已确定进一步合作的潜在领域，包括机器人、无人机、自动驾驶车辆测试、人工智能及区块链。 9 旅游工作组（TWG）将继续探索促进跨境旅游与民间交流的新机遇。为利用并加强新加坡与柔佛的共同遗产，旅游工作组正探讨在文化路线及联合活动方面的潜在合作。 改善基础设施与连通性。 10 交通连接工作组（TLWG）与移民工作组（IWG）一直密切合作，以加强新加坡与柔佛之间的基础设施及跨境连通性。 11 交通与移民机构已与跨境巴士运营商合作，在高峰时段增加巴士班次。这缩短了经新柔长堤及第二通道往返的巴士乘客候车时间。 12 为改善海上连通，新加坡与丹戎槟吉利（Tanjung Pengelih）之间的新渡轮服务于2022年12月启用。此前，新加坡与迪沙鲁（Desaru）之间的渡轮服务于2022年7月开通。这两条渡轮服务均受到新马乘客的欢迎。在此领域良好合作的基础上，新马商业运营商将展开讨论，评估在公主港（Puteri Harbour）与大士（Tuas）之间开设潜在新渡轮服务的商业可行性。 13 为改善现有铁路连通，交通连接工作组原则上同意将KTM德宝接驳服务（Tebrau Shuttle）的班次从每日31班增至36班。新时刻表将在双方机构敲定进一步细节后启用。 14 联合部长委员会也注意到柔佛新山–新加坡捷运系统（RTS）衔接线双方工程的良好进展。 15 根据两国更好地管理陆路关卡拥堵的承诺，联合部长委员会欢迎马来西亚自2023年1月起对马来西亚自动化通关系统（MACS 2.0）的提升，以及马来西亚计划在马来西亚公民摩哆骑士计划（MBIKE 2.0）下增设通道。联合部长委员会也欢迎新加坡的三管齐下做法，包括实时动态交通管理、进一步自动化通关流程，以及重建并扩建兀兰关卡的较长期计划，以提高吞吐量并顺畅人员与货物的跨境流动。 16 联合部长委员会期待不久后在马来西亚再次会晤，以保持双边合作的积极势头。 YB Tuan Mohd Rafizi Ramli 马来西亚经济部长 Desmond Lee先生 新加坡国家发展部长 YAB Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi 马来西亚柔佛州州务大臣 Chee Hong Tat先生 新加坡交通部代部长 ****