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

- **Source:** Ministry of National Development
- **Published:** 2021-12-22T07:00:00.000Z
- **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-malaysias-development
- **Topics:** Investment & Capital Markets

## Featured rationale

Continued investment and improving cross-border transport could strengthen Iskandar’s employment and accessibility, potentially supporting demand for nearby industrial, commercial and residential property.

## AI summary

Singapore-based companies secured 52 Iskandar Malaysia manufacturing projects worth USD476 million in 2020, while Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS passenger service was targeted for end-2026.

## Original article

14th Meeting of the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia Looks Forward to Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Malaysia-Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM) held its fourteenth meeting on 21 December 2021, with Singapore hosting the meeting via Video Conference. The meeting was co-chaired by YB Dato’ Sri Mustapa bin Mohamed, Malaysia’s Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) and Mr Desmond Lee, Singapore's Minister for National Development. Also present were the Menteri Besar Johor, YAB Dato' Haji Hasni bin Mohammad, and Singapore's Minister for Transport, Mr S Iswaran. Senior officials from both countries were also present.

The meeting convened after a 4-year hiatus with the last one being held in July 2017. This meeting built on the positive momentum from the discussions between Singapore Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysian Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, during Prime Minister Ismail Sabri’s recent official visit to Singapore on 29 November 2021.

At the meeting, Malaysia and Singapore reaffirmed the progress of Iskandar Malaysia and reiterated their commitment to its continued development amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The JMCIM noted the progress made by the various workgroups. 

The Industrial Cooperation Work Group (ICWG) continues to work closely on strengthening the manufacturing ecosystem in Iskandar Malaysia to enable investors to leverage the comparative advantages of both Singapore and Iskandar Malaysia as part of an integrated regional strategy for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The JMCIM noted from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)’s statistics that investments from Singapore-based companies have continued to flow into Iskandar Malaysia despite the challenges of the pandemic. There were 52 approved manufacturing projects amounting to USD371 million in 2019, and another 52 approved manufacturing projects amounting to USD476 million in 2020, in key sectors such as Electrical & Electronics, Fabricated Metal Products, and Machinery and Equipment. For 1H 2021, 20 manufacturing projects from Singapore with a total value of USD112 million were approved in Iskandar Malaysia. In this regard, Nusajaya Tech Park, jointly developed by CapitaLand and UEM Sunrise Bhd., has been successful in attracting a good mix of companies from Singapore and Malaysia, as well as multinational corporations. As the global economic landscape evolves and the region emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, the JMCIM noted that the ICWG will look to refresh its joint agenda in the coming year and explore new areas to collaborate, particularly in the focus areas of Advanced Materials Engineering (AME), Electronics, Food and Talent Development.

The Immigration Work Group (IWG) continues to make progress to facilitate cross-border movement of people and goods in a safe and secure manner, despite the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The JMCIM noted the success of the Vaccinated Travel Lane (Land) via Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) and Woodlands Checkpoint that was launched on 29 November 2021, and hopes that it will pave the way for the future opening of more categories of travellers under the scheme, taking into account the evolving public health situation. It was also noted that more than 693,988 applications have been approved for the Malaysia Automated Clearance System (MACS) as of 30 November 2021. The Malaysia Citizen Motorcyclist (M-BIKE) system, 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 18 March 2020, 187,984 users have registered with M-BIKE. Since July 2021, the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has completed the deployment of the Multi-Modal Biometrics System (MMBS) to the Biometrics Identification of Motorbikes System (BIKES) II, which allows automated self-immigration clearance of both motorcyclists and pillion riders, with the use of fingerprints, iris and facial biometrics. The touch-free nature of the technology offers motorcyclists a hygienic and safe way of clearance. 

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 since the project was resumed on 30 Jul 2020, and looked forward to the commencement of passenger service by end 2026.

However due to the pandemic and the construction of Electrified Double Track Gemas-Johor Bahru, KTMB is not able to continue the Tebrau Shuttle service. The services will resume once the said work is completed. On the Cross-Border Bus Services, we will also be looking at possible ways to improve the existing arrangements to allow for wider coverage, and more efficient and comfortable services not only for the passengers, but also to the operators. Moving forward, the TLWG will support any efforts to expand the existing VTL-Land scheme to support economic reopening of both countries when the COVID-19 situation stabilises. On top of that, the TLWG shall also study and share ways to encourage the use of EVs within and across both countries. The government and private sector investments will be encouraged to achieve the widespread electrification of transport, as both countries committed to cut / reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and work towards becoming low carbon cities.

The JMCIM also noted that the Environment Work Group (EWG) has continued to promote knowledge sharing through joint capacity building workshops in the areas of air quality management, waste and resource management, environmental education, environmental monitoring, and water demand management. Participants from both countries were able to exchange technical expertise and share experiences on these issues of mutual interest. The EWG will continue to collaborate through capacity building programmes in technologies for enforcement and surveillance, management of food waste, low carbon cities, and environmental education in schools. The EWG will further look into other areas of collaboration that benefits both countries.

The JMCIM welcomed the successful completion of the Passport2Nature Programme, which was conducted from October 2018 to June 2019 to educate visitors on the conservational efforts of both Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in Singapore and Pulau Kukup in Johor, Malaysia. The programme was also designed to encourage more people to visit the two parks as part of twinning activities. The Tourism Work Group (TWG) will continue to work closely to explore other joint tourism promotions and activities, and collaborate in capability development initiatives in preparation for general travel resumption.

The JMCIM also welcomed the successful completion of the Afiniti Medini and Avira Medini (Phase 1) developments. Overseen by the Iconic Project Work Group (IPWG) since 2010, the collaboration has enhanced economic engagement and fostered business partnerships on both sides. Temasek and Khazanah will continue to develop the projects on a commercial basis.

The JMCIM agreed to review and refresh the Terms of Reference (TORs) for the six Work Groups to address current and future developments, and to explore new areas of collaboration such as sustainability and digital economy. The JMCIM also agreed to study Malaysia’s proposal to set up a Work Group on food security as a possible area of bilateral collaboration.

The JMCIM looked forward to meeting again in mid-2022 to sustain the positive momentum of bilateral collaboration and in view of the fast changing local, regional and global scenarios.

## 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14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展望在2019冠状病毒病疫情期间加强双边合作

马来西亚—新加坡依斯干达马来西亚联合部长委员会（JMCIM）于2021年12月21日举行第十四次会议，由新加坡以视频会议形式主办。会议由马来西亚首相署（经济）部长拿督斯里慕斯达法·宾·莫哈末（YB Dato’ Sri Mustapa bin Mohamed）与新加坡国家发展部部长李智陞（Desmond Lee）共同主持。出席者还包括柔佛州州务大臣拿督哈芝哈斯尼·宾·莫哈末（YAB Dato' Haji Hasni bin Mohammad），以及新加坡交通部部长易华仁（S Iswaran）。两国高级官员亦有出席。

会议在中断4年后召开，上一次会议于2017年7月举行。本次会议延续了新加坡总理李显龙与马来西亚首相拿督斯里依斯迈沙比里（YAB Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob）于2021年11月29日依斯迈沙比里首相近期正式访问新加坡期间讨论所形成的积极势头。

会上，马来西亚与新加坡重申依斯干达马来西亚所取得的进展，并再次确认在2019冠状病毒病疫情期间对其持续发展的承诺。联合部长委员会注意到各工作组所取得的进展。

工业合作工作组（ICWG）继续密切合作，加强依斯干达马来西亚的制造业生态系统，使投资者能够利用新加坡与依斯干达马来西亚的比较优势，作为从2019冠状病毒病疫情中复苏的综合区域策略的一部分。联合部长委员会注意到，根据马来西亚投资发展局（MIDA）的统计，尽管面临疫情挑战，来自新加坡企业的投资仍持续流入依斯干达马来西亚。2019年有52个获批制造业项目，金额达3.71亿美元；2020年另有52个获批制造业项目，金额达4.76亿美元，主要集中在电气与电子、金属制品以及机械与设备等关键领域。2021年上半年，来自新加坡的20个制造业项目获批落户依斯干达马来西亚，总值1.12亿美元。在此方面，由凯德集团（CapitaLand）与UEM Sunrise Bhd. 共同开发的Nusajaya科技园已成功吸引来自新加坡与马来西亚的多元企业，以及跨国企业。随着全球经济格局演变及区域从2019冠状病毒病疫情中走出，联合部长委员会注意到，工业合作工作组将于来年审视并更新其联合议程，并探索新的合作领域，特别是先进材料工程（AME）、电子、食品及人才发展等重点领域。

移民工作组（IWG）尽管面临2019冠状病毒病疫情带来的挑战，仍持续推进以安全稳妥的方式便利人员与货物跨境流动。联合部长委员会注意到，经苏丹依斯干达大厦（BSI）及兀兰关卡的疫苗接种者旅行通道（陆路）（Vaccinated Travel Lane (Land)）于2021年11月29日启用并取得成功，并希望在考虑不断变化的公共卫生形势后，该通道将为未来开放更多类别旅客铺路。另据指出，截至2021年11月30日，马来西亚自动通关系统（MACS）已批准超过693,988份申请。马来西亚公民摩托车骑士（M-BIKE）系统同样允许已登记的摩托车骑士及其已登记的后座乘客在专用M-BIKE通道同时办理移民通关，已在苏丹依斯干达大厦（长堤）全部100条通道及苏丹阿布峇卡综合大厦（第二通道）50条通道实施。截至2020年3月18日，已有187,984名用户登记使用M-BIKE。自2021年7月起，新加坡移民与关卡局（ICA）已完成将多模态生物识别系统（MMBS）部署至摩托车生物识别系统（BIKES）II，使摩托车骑士与后座乘客均可使用指纹、虹膜及面部生物识别技术进行自动化自助移民通关。该技术的非接触特性为摩托车骑士提供了卫生且安全的通关方式。

交通连接工作组（TLWG）继续致力于加强马来西亚与新加坡之间的交通互联互通。关于新山—新加坡捷运系统（RTS）连接线，联合部长委员会欢迎自该项目于2020年7月30日重启以来在商业、技术及监管讨论方面取得的良好进展，并期待客运服务于2026年底前启动。

然而，由于疫情以及牙宜—新山电气化双轨铁路工程的建设，马来亚铁道公司（KTMB）无法继续运营德不老接驳服务。有关服务将在上述工程完成后恢复。关于跨境巴士服务，我们也将探讨可能的方式以改善现有安排，扩大覆盖范围，并为乘客及营运商提供更高效、更舒适的服务。展望未来，交通连接工作组将支持在2019冠状病毒病形势稳定后，扩大现有陆路疫苗接种者旅行通道计划的任何努力，以支持两国经济重开。此外，交通连接工作组亦将研究并分享鼓励在两国境内及跨境使用电动车（EV）的方式。将鼓励政府与私营部门投资，以实现交通广泛电气化，因为两国均承诺削减/减少温室气体（GHG）排放，并朝着成为低碳城市迈进。

联合部长委员会亦注意到，环境工作组（EWG）持续通过空气质量管理、废弃物与资源管理、环境教育、环境监测及用水需求管理等领域的联合能力建设工作坊促进知识共享。两国参与者得以就这些共同关注议题交流技术专长并分享经验。环境工作组将继续通过执法与监察技术、食物废弃物管理、低碳城市及学校环境教育等方面的能力建设计划开展合作。环境工作组还将进一步探讨惠及两国的其他合作领域。

联合部长委员会欢迎“护照通向自然”（Passport2Nature）计划成功完成。该计划于2018年10月至2019年6月实施，旨在教育访客了解新加坡双溪布洛湿地保护区与马来西亚柔佛龟咯岛的保育工作。该计划亦设计用于鼓励更多人到访这两个公园，作为结对活动的一部分。旅游工作组（TWG）将继续密切合作，探索其他联合旅游推广与活动，并在能力建设举措方面协作，为一般旅行恢复做好准备。

联合部长委员会亦欢迎Afiniti Medini及Avira Medini（第一期）开发项目成功完成。自2010年起由标志性项目工作组（IPWG）监督，该合作提升了经济往来，并促进了双方商业伙伴关系。淡马锡与国库控股将继续按商业原则推进有关项目。

联合部长委员会同意检讨并更新六个工作组的职权范围（TORs），以应对当前及未来发展，并探索可持续发展与数字经济等新的合作领域。联合部长委员会亦同意研究马来西亚关于设立粮食安全工作组作为双边合作可能领域的建议。

联合部长委员会期待于2022年年中再次会晤，以维持双边合作的积极势头，并因应本地、区域及全球形势的快速变化。