11th Malaysia-Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee Meeting for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM)
Strong Avira bookings and improving transport connectivity signal cross-border interest that could support development activity and buyer demand within Iskandar Malaysia.
Malaysia and Singapore advanced cross-border transport planning while 80% of phase-one units at Iskandar Malaysia’s Avira development had been booked.
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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.