# Minister for Transport and Minister for National Development host Menteri Besar of Johor to Iftar

- **Source:** Ministry of National Development
- **Published:** 2022-04-19T02:00:00.000Z
- **Author:** Ministry of National Development
- **Original:** https://www.mnd.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/view/minister-for-transport-and-minister-for-national-development-host-menteri-besar-of-johor-to-iftar
- **Topics:** Commercial & Industrial, Government & Policy

## Featured rationale

Stronger cross-border connectivity and cooperation could improve access between Singapore and Johor, potentially supporting business activity and property interest near transport nodes.

## AI summary

Singapore and Johor leaders discussed transport and economic cooperation on 18 April 2022 and reviewed progress at the RTS Link’s Woodlands North Terminus.

## Original article

Mr S Iswaran, Singapore’s Minister for Transport and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations and Mr Desmond Lee, Singapore’s Minister for National Development and Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration, hosted YAB Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Menteri Besar of Johor, to iftar on Monday, 18 April 2022. 

2 YAB Datuk Onn Hafiz is on an official visit to Singapore from 17 to 19 April 2022. He is accompanied by members of the Johor State Executive Council, Johor State Economic Planning Division, Johor Economic, Tourism and Cultural Office, and Iskandar Regional Development Authority. 

3 During the iftar, both Ministers discussed with YAB Datuk Onn Hafiz bilateral co-operation between Singapore and Johor State. These included areas of transport, food safety and security, and economic collaboration, under the ambit of the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM). 

4 Earlier in the day, Minister Iswaran also hosted YAB Datuk Onn Hafiz to a site visit of the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link Woodlands North Terminus to observe the progress of the project.

5 Minister Iswaran said, “Malaysia is Singapore’s closest neighbour, and Johor is just across the Causeway. Our ties are deeply intertwined, with longstanding economic and people-to-people relations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, both our countries took significant steps to restore air and land connectivity, reuniting families and helping businesses recover. As we emerge from the pandemic, it is important that we continue to build on our strong relations and strengthen bilateral and transport cooperation.”

6 Minister Lee said, “It is important to strengthen our bilateral cooperation with Malaysia to ensure that both countries emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic in a stronger position. In particular, we are exploring new areas of collaboration for Iskandar Malaysia which were discussed at the 14th JMCIM meeting in December 2021. Looking ahead, we will continue to work together to deepen the partnership and friendship between Singapore and Johor.”

## Chinese translation

> Translation model: grok_cli

### 交通部长与国家发展部长宴请柔佛州务大臣开斋晚餐

新加坡交通部长兼贸易关系主管部长S Iswaran先生，以及新加坡国家发展部长兼社会服务融合主管部长李智陞先生，于2022年4月18日（星期一）宴请柔佛州务大臣YAB Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi开斋晚餐（iftar）。

2 YAB Datuk Onn Hafiz于2022年4月17日至19日对新加坡进行正式访问。随行人员包括柔佛州行政议会成员、柔佛州经济规划司、柔佛经济、旅游与文化办事处，以及依斯干达区域发展局成员。

3 在开斋晚餐期间，两位部长与YAB Datuk Onn Hafiz讨论了新加坡与柔佛州的双边合作。内容涵盖交通、食品安全与粮食安全，以及经济协作等领域，均属马来西亚-新加坡依斯干达马来西亚联合部长级委员会（JMCIM）框架下的合作范围。

4 当天稍早，Iswaran部长亦陪同YAB Datuk Onn Hafiz参观新山-新加坡捷运系统（RTS）衔接线兀兰北终站工地，了解项目进展。

5 Iswaran部长表示：“马来西亚是新加坡最亲近的邻国，柔佛就在长堤对面。我们的关系紧密交织，有着长期的经济与民间往来。在冠病疫情期间，两国采取重要措施恢复空中与陆路联通，让家庭团聚，并协助企业复苏。随着我们走出疫情，持续巩固牢固关系、加强双边与交通合作至关重要。”

6 李智陞部长表示：“加强与马来西亚的双边合作，以确保两国以更强姿态走出冠病疫情，十分重要。特别是，我们正在探索依斯干达马来西亚的新合作领域，这些议题已在2021年12月举行的第14次JMCIM会议上讨论。展望未来，我们将继续携手深化新加坡与柔佛之间的伙伴关系与友谊。”