PM Lawrence Wong looks forward to deepening cooperation with Malaysia and engaging on complex issues

Key Concepts

• Bilateral Relations: The relationship and cooperation between two countries.
• Leaders Retreat: A meeting between the leaders of two countries to discuss bilateral issues.
• Diplomatic Ties: Formal relationships between countries.
• People-to-People and Cultural Ties: Connections and exchanges between the citizens of two countries.
• Intangible Cultural Heritage: Non-physical aspects of culture, such as traditions and practices.
• Special Economic Zone (SEZ): A designated area within a country where business and trade laws differ from the rest of the country.
• Transport Connectivity: The ease and efficiency of travel and movement between two places.
• CIQ Facilities: Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine facilities.
• RTS Link: Rapid Transit System link, a cross-border rail service.
• Cross-border Taxi Scheme: A system for taxis operating between two countries.
• Land Checkpoints: Border crossings for land transport.
• Energy Partnership: Cooperation between countries on energy matters.
• Low-carbon Electricity: Electricity generated from sources that produce minimal greenhouse gas emissions.
• Electricity Interconnector: A transmission line that connects the electricity grids of two or more countries.
• ASEAN Power Grid: A proposed network of electricity transmission lines connecting Southeast Asian countries.
• Outstanding Bilateral Issues: Long-standing disagreements or matters requiring resolution between two countries.
• Airspace Management: The coordination and control of air traffic.
• Maritime Boundary Delimitation: The process of defining the maritime borders between countries.
• ASEAN Centrality: The principle that ASEAN is at the center of regional security and economic architecture.
• Regional Integration: The process of increasing cooperation and interdependence among countries in a region.

Leaders Retreat and Bilateral Cooperation

The summary details the second leaders retreat between Singapore and Malaysia, held in a significant year marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties. The Prime Minister of Singapore expressed his consistent value for engagements with Prime Minister Anoa, highlighting their ability to have candid and constructive discussions focused on mutual benefit for both nations and their peoples.

Strengthening People-to-People and Cultural Ties

• Health Cooperation and Drug Fight: An MOU on health cooperation and the fight against drugs has been exchanged, aiming to foster mutual learning and enhance societal resilience.
• Official Exchanges: Increased exchanges between officials in education and cultural sectors are noted.
• Intangible Cultural Heritage:
  • The successful joint inscription of the "Kebaya" on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, alongside ASEAN neighbors, was highlighted.
  • A joint nomination for "Chingei" is being put forward this year.
• Consular Services: Malaysia has formally agreed to Singapore's proposal to open consulates in Sabah and Sarawak, which will enable Singapore to provide consular services to its citizens there and deepen ties.

Economic and Infrastructure Development

• Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ):
  • Singapore-based companies have committed over 5.5 billion dollars in investments in the Johor-Singapore SEZ since January 2024.
  • The ratification of the SEZ Act agreement is welcomed, with significant potential for further growth.
• RTS Link:
  • A supplementary agreement to the RTS Link bilateral agreement has been signed.
  • This agreement will facilitate preparations for collocated CIQ facilities and the eventual operationalization of the RTS.
• Cross-border Taxi Scheme: Officials are discussing reciprocal improvements to the scheme to offer more convenient options for commuters.
• Land Checkpoint Enhancements:
  • Initiatives like QR code customs clearance and automated lanes have been introduced to reduce congestion.
  • Singapore is redeveloping the Woodlands Checkpoint to expand capacity, improve efficiency, and enhance the traveler experience.

Energy Partnership

• Low-Carbon Electricity Import: The Energy Market Authority (EMA) has awarded conditional approval for a proposal to import low-carbon electricity from Sarawak to Singapore.
• Second Electricity Interconnector: Plans are underway to expand the capacity for cross-border electricity trade between Malaysia and Singapore through a second electricity interconnector.
• ASEAN Power Grid: These projects are seen as steps towards a low-carbon future, creating opportunities, and supporting the development of the ASEAN Power Grid.

Outstanding Bilateral Issues

Discussions were held on several long-standing bilateral issues:

• Airspace:
  • The focus is on arrangements for air traffic management to meet current and future needs, especially with growing air traffic.
  • This involves the safe and efficient operation of KLIA and Senai (Malaysia) and Changi and Seletar airports (Singapore) in line with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) requirements.
  • Officials are discussing the best approach for this.
• Water:
  • Both countries share an interest in increasing the yield and safeguarding the water quality of the Johor River.
  • The aim is to guard against potential extreme weather changes or disruption scenarios to ensure a resilient water supply for Johor and Singapore's needs under the 1962 agreement.
  • Discussions have opened on the price of raw and treated water, without prejudice to either side's positions.
• Maritime Boundary Delimitation:
  • This concerns setting boundaries on both the east and west.
  • Officials have had several rounds of discussions and have a better understanding of each other's positions, but resolution will require more time.

The Prime Minister acknowledged that these are complex issues with differing views, but emphasized that as good neighbors, engagement will continue in good faith. Officials have been guided to continue discussions constructively and with mutual respect, aiming for positive and durable outcomes with balanced benefits. The importance of maintaining the positive tenor of the overall relationship and preventing these issues from undermining cooperation was stressed.

Upholding ASEAN Centrality and Regional Cooperation

• As fellow founding members of ASEAN, Singapore and Malaysia will collaborate to uphold ASEAN centrality, which is considered a cornerstone of regional peace and prosperity.
• Malaysia's successful chairmanship of ASEAN this year, under Prime Minister Anoa's leadership, was acknowledged.
• The focus will be on advancing regional integration and engaging external partners.

Conclusion and Vision for the Future

The Prime Minister expressed pride in the accomplishments of both countries over the past 60 years. He conveyed gratitude for Prime Minister Anoa's friendship, leadership, and support, and found in him a committed partner for the continued flourishing of their ties. He reiterated Prime Minister Anoa's vision of Malaysia and Singapore being role models for good neighborly cooperation and committed to working closely to strengthen their partnership and uplift the citizens of both countries.