# Malaysia and Singapore Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation and Reaffirm Commitment towards Iskandar Malaysia’s Development

- **Source:** Ministry of National Development
- **Published:** 2017-07-31T09:00:00.000Z
- **Author:** Ministry of National Development
- **Original:** https://www.mnd.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/view/malaysia-and-singapore-strengthen-bilateral-cooperation-and-reaffirm-commitment-towards-iskandar-malaysia-s-development
- **Topics:** Investment & Capital Markets, Regional Markets

## Featured rationale

The planned capacity signals substantially improved cross-border mobility, which could strengthen development and property demand around Woodlands and Iskandar Malaysia transport nodes.

## AI summary

Singapore and Malaysia targeted RTS Link passenger service by 31 December 2024, with capacity of up to 10,000 passengers per direction hourly.

## Original article

13th Meeting of the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia Looks Forward to Signing of RTS Link Bilateral Agreement by December 2017 

The Malaysia-Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM) held its thirteenth meeting in Iskandar Puteri, Johor Bahru. The meeting was co-chaired by YB Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan, Malaysia’s Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and H.E. Minister Khaw Boon Wan, Singapore's Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport. Also present were the Menteri Besar of Johor, YAB Dato' Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Singapore's Minister for National Development, H.E. Minister Lawrence Wong. 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. The JMCIM noted the substantive progress achieved by the High Speed Rail (HSR) Work Group in the planning of the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore HSR project since its formation in December 2013. With the signing of the HSR Bilateral Agreement by the respective Ministers on 13 December 2016, the work of the HSR Work Group has officially been completed. A HSR Bilateral Committee (HSR BC), led by senior government officials from both countries, has since been formed to oversee matters that may affect the international services and all other matters detailed in the Bilateral Agreement. The JMCIM welcomed the recent conclusion of an Industry Briefing where interested parties were engaged on the indicative tender parameters and procurement approach for the upcoming HSR Assets Company (AssetsCo) tender. They noted that the recently concluded Industry Briefing was well received, signalling continued strong interest from the market on the project, and looked forward to the calling of the AssetsCo tender by the end of the year. 

The Transportation Links Work Group (TLWG) continues to work towards strengthening transport connectivity between Malaysia and Singapore. On the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, the JMCIM welcomed the good progress of commercial, technical and regulatory discussions and looked forward to the signing of a Bilateral Agreement on the RTS Link by December 2017. The JMCIM agreed that the RTS Link would greatly improve transport connectivity between Johor and Singapore. It would have the ability to carry up to 10,000 passengers per direction per hour. Both Governments agreed that the RTS Link would commence passenger service by 31 December 2024, after which the KTMB Tebrau shuttle would cease operations. 

The JMCIM noted that both Governments have agreed on the key commercial arrangements for the RTS Link. In particular, each Government will appoint an Infrastructure Company (InfraCo) to fund, build, own, maintain, and upgrade the civil infrastructure and stations within their own countries. Both Governments will jointly appoint an operating company (OpCo) to design, build, finance, operate, maintain and renew the RTS Link operating assets (e.g. trains, tracks, systems). For the first concession period, the OpCo will be directly appointed. To encourage bilateral participation, a Joint Venture between a Malaysian entity and a Singaporean entity is preferred. The JMCM welcomed the update that experienced local metro operators, Prasarana Malaysia Berhad and SMRT Corporation Ltd, are currently exploring the formation of a Joint Venture (JV) company to be the RTS Link Op Co. 

The JMCIM noted that traffic at the Causeway was growing, and more could be done to manage congestion. The JMCIM thus welcomed the news that the KTMB Tebrau shuttle had increased its initial 14 daily trips in 2015 to 26 daily trips (as of 1 June 2017) to cope with the travel demand. Both countries are working towards further increasing the number of train services. In March 2017, Singapore had announced plans to upgrade Woodlands Checkpoint to increase overall clearance capacity and ease congestion, while enhancing security outcomes. 

The JMCIM noted that the Industrial Cooperation Work Group (ICWG) has been progressing well in its collaboration in the areas of Advanced Materials Engineering (AME), Electronics and Food and Talent Development. For AME, the ICWG is looking for new opportunities to collaborate in the aerospace and med-tech sectors. The ICWG has also embarked on creating a directory of Malaysian Engineering Support industries and companies to facilitate collaboration between both countries. For Electronics, the ICWG is exploring leveraging regional and international platforms to promote industry collaboration between both countries. On Food, the ICWG has been working on sharing food innovation capabilities between the two countries and engaging companies that are interested to expand into Malaysia. On Talent Development, the JMCIM also welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ITE Education Services Singapore and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) on 16 March 2017 which marked the launch of a Capacity Development Programme for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Master Trainers. The S$203,000 programme funded by Temasek Foundation International has provided training to 24 TVET Master Trainers from seven institutions in Johor, who in turn will train other TVET trainers. 

The Immigration Work Group (IWG) has continued to make progress in terms of facilitating cross-border movement of people and goods. The JMCIM noted that more than 676,000 applications have been approved for the Malaysian Automated Clearance System (MACS) as at 30 June 2017. Since January 2017, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority’s (ICA) BIKES II, which allows simultaneous automated self-immigration clearance of both motorcyclists and pillion riders, has been fully implemented, with a combined total of 164 counters at Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints. The Malaysia Citizen Motorcyclist (M-BIKE), which similarly allows registered motorcyclists and their registered pillion passengers to clear immigration concurrently at dedicated M-BIKE lanes, has been implemented at all 100 lanes in Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (Causeway) and 50 lanes in Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar (Second Link). As at 15 July 2017, 128,145 users have registered with M-BIKE. 

The JMCIM noted the progress made by the Iconic Project Work Group (IPWG) and made a site visit to Afiniti Medini, which was completed in December 2015. Its residential units commenced handover to buyers in May 2016. The corporate training centre anchored by CIMB Leadership Academy and the serviced apartments have also been launched while the wellness centre is expected to start operating by end-2017. For Avira, the first phase of terrace homes comprising 208 units have commenced handover to buyers in July 2016.

The Tourism Work Group (TWG) continues to work closely on capability development and joint promotion of the twinning initiative for Sungei Buloh and Pulau Kukup. The JMCIM welcomed the upcoming signing of a MoU between National Parks Board (NParks) of Singapore and the Johor National Parks Corporation (JNPC) to establish Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and Pulau Kukup Ramsar as ‘Sister Wetlands’. As part of a ‘2-year Tourism Strategic Roadmap’, the TWG will also be launching a joint programme by Q4 2017 to attract more visitors to both nature sites. 

The JMCIM noted that the Environment Work Group (EWG) has continued to make good progress in environmental cooperation through knowledge sharing and capacity building. Through capacity building workshops in the areas of air quality management, waste and resource management, and environmental education over the last two years, participants from both countries were able to exchange technical expertise and share experiences in leveraging technology to protect the environment. The EWG will continue to collaborate through further capacity building programmes in energy efficiency, environmental monitoring, water demand management, low carbon cities, environmental education in schools, management of food waste, and technologies for enforcement and surveillance.

## Chinese translation

> Translation model: grok_cli

### 马来西亚与新加坡加强双边合作并重申对依斯干达马来西亚发展的承诺

第13届马来西亚—新加坡依斯干达马来西亚联合部长级委员会会议展望2017年12月前签署新柔捷运系统（RTS）连接线双边协议

马来西亚—新加坡依斯干达马来西亚联合部长级委员会（JMCIM）在柔佛新山依斯干达公主城举行第十三次会议。会议由马来西亚首相署部长拿督斯里阿都拉曼达兰（YB Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan）与新加坡基础设施统筹部长兼交通部长许文远阁下共同主持。柔佛州务大臣拿督穆罕默德·哈立德·诺丁（YAB Dato' Mohamed Khaled Nordin）及新加坡国家发展部长黄循财阁下亦出席会议。两国高级官员也在场。

会上，新加坡与马来西亚重申依斯干达马来西亚的进展，并再次承诺持续推动其发展。联合部长级委员会注意到，自2013年12月成立以来，高铁工作组在吉隆坡—新加坡高铁（HSR）项目规划方面取得实质性进展。随着两国部长于2016年12月13日签署高铁双边协议，高铁工作组的工作已正式完成。此后已成立由两国高级政府官员牵头的高铁双边委员会（HSR BC），负责监督可能影响国际服务的事宜以及双边协议中详述的所有其他事项。联合部长级委员会欢迎近期完成的行业简报会，会上已向有意参与方介绍即将展开的高铁资产公司（AssetsCo）招标的指示性招标参数与采购方式。委员会注意到，此次行业简报会反响良好，显示市场对该项目持续保持浓厚兴趣，并期待在年底前启动AssetsCo招标。

交通连接工作组（TLWG）继续致力于加强马新之间的交通连通性。关于新山—新加坡捷运系统（RTS）连接线，联合部长级委员会欢迎商业、技术与监管讨论取得良好进展，并期待在2017年12月前签署RTS连接线双边协议。委员会同意，RTS连接线将大幅改善柔佛与新加坡之间的交通连通性，每小时单方向运力可达10,000人次。两国政府同意，RTS连接线将于2024年12月31日前开通客运服务，此后马来亚铁道公司（KTMB）直落布拉乌接驳列车将停止运营。

联合部长级委员会注意到，两国政府已就RTS连接线的主要商业安排达成一致。特别是，两国政府将各自委任一家基础设施公司（InfraCo），负责在本国境内出资、建设、拥有、维护并升级土木基础设施及车站。两国政府将联合委任一家运营公司（OpCo），负责设计、建设、融资、运营、维护并更新RTS连接线的运营资产（例如列车、轨道、系统）。首个特许经营期内，OpCo将以直接委任方式产生。为鼓励双边参与，优先考虑由马来西亚实体与新加坡实体组成的合资企业。联合部长级委员会欢迎最新进展：经验丰富的本地地铁运营商马来西亚公共交通基础设施公司（Prasarana Malaysia Berhad）与新加坡地铁有限公司（SMRT Corporation Ltd）目前正探讨成立合资（JV）公司，出任RTS连接线OpCo。

联合部长级委员会注意到，新柔长堤交通量持续增长，可采取更多措施管理拥堵。因此，委员会欢迎马来亚铁道公司直落布拉乌接驳列车已由2015年最初的每日14班增至每日26班（截至2017年6月1日），以应对出行需求的消息。两国正努力进一步增加列车班次。2017年3月，新加坡宣布计划升级兀兰检查站，以提高整体通关能力、缓解拥堵，同时加强安保成效。

联合部长级委员会注意到，工业合作工作组（ICWG）在先进材料工程（AME）、电子、食品及人才发展等领域的协作进展顺利。在先进材料工程方面，工作组正寻找航空航太与医疗科技领域的新合作机会；并已着手编制马来西亚工程配套产业与企业名录，以促进两国协作。在电子领域，工作组正探讨借助区域与国际平台推动两国产业合作。在食品方面，工作组一直致力于分享两国食品创新能力，并接触有意拓展至马来西亚的企业。在人才发展方面，委员会亦欢迎新加坡工艺教育学院教育服务（ITE Education Services Singapore）与马来西亚投资发展局（MIDA）于2017年3月16日签署谅解备忘录（MoU），标志着技术与职业教育培训（TVET）大师级培训师能力发展计划的启动。该计划由淡马锡基金国际（Temasek Foundation International）资助203,000新元，已为柔佛七所院校的24名TVET大师级培训师提供培训，他们将进而培训其他TVET培训师。

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。联合部长级委员会注意到，截至2017年6月30日，马来西亚自动化通关系统（MACS）已批准逾676,000份申请。自2017年1月起，移民与关卡局（ICA）的BIKES II已全面实施，允许摩托车骑士与后座乘客同时完成自动化自助移民通关，在兀兰与大士检查站共设有164个柜台。马来西亚公民摩托车骑士计划（M-BIKE）同样允许已登记骑士及其已登记后座乘客在专用M-BIKE通道同时通关，已在苏丹依斯干达大楼（长堤）全部100条通道及苏丹阿布巴卡尔综合大楼（第二通道）50条通道实施。截至2017年7月15日，已有128,145名用户登记M-BIKE。

联合部长级委员会注意到标志性项目工作组（IPWG）的进展，并实地考察了于2015年12月竣工的Afiniti Medini。其住宅单位自2016年5月起开始交付予买家。由联昌国际银行领导力学院（CIMB Leadership Academy）进驻的企业培训中心与服务式公寓亦已推出，健康中心预计于2017年底前开始运营。至于Avira，第一期共208个排屋单位已于2016年7月开始交付予买家。

旅游工作组（TWG）继续在能力建设以及双溪布洛与龟咯岛双城联动推广方面密切合作。联合部长级委员会欢迎新加坡国家公园局（NParks）与柔佛国家公园公司（JNPC）即将签署谅解备忘录，将双溪布洛湿地保护区与龟咯岛拉姆萨尔湿地确立为“姊妹湿地”。作为“两年旅游战略路线图”的一部分，旅游工作组亦将于2017年第四季度推出联合项目，吸引更多游客前往这两处自然景点。

联合部长级委员会注意到，环境工作组（EWG）通过知识分享与能力建设，在环境合作方面持续取得良好进展。过去两年，通过空气质量管理、废弃物与资源管理以及环境教育等领域的能力建设工作坊，两国参与者得以交流技术专长，并分享利用科技保护环境的经验。环境工作组将继续在能源效率、环境监测、用水需求管理、低碳城市、学校环境教育、厨余管理以及执法与监控技术等方面，通过进一步的能力建设项目开展协作。