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In support of the Johor-Singapore SEZ, the RTS Link is expected to commence services by end-2026, and is likely to be able to ferry 20,000 passengers every hour in both directions.
A joint press conference between Malaysia Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong took place on Tuesday (7 January), which marked the 11th Leaders’ Retreat between Malaysia and Singapore.
Consequently, in the joint statements released by the Prime Ministers Office Singapore (PMO) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia (MFA), both parties reflected on their long-standing diplomatic relations and their shared visions for growth.
The leaders also expressed their commitment to foster stronger bonds through mutual respect and understanding, and highlighted the need to resolve outstanding issues amicably in order to deliver benefits to the people of the nations that they lead respectively.
As such, PM Anwar and PM Wong agreed on new partnerships and agreements, some of which impacting the industry and talent are summarised below:
1. Cooperation in higher education
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation in the field of higher education by Malaysia’s Ministry of Higher Education and Singapore’s Ministry of Education was signed. Both leaders believe that this MOU would pave the way for greater institutional partnerships, people-to-people exchanges and information sharing between respective institutes of higher learning. Both parties have also agreed on facilitating the exchange of English teachers through the Malaysia-Singapore English Volunteers Programme that had been in the talks since 2024.
2. Enhancements to the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) project
Both leaders expressed satisfaction on the progress of the ongoing Rapid Transit System (RTS) project which is part of Johor-Singapore (SEZ). Infrastructure companies from both countries are gradually granting RTS Operations Pte Ltd (the operating company for the RTS Link) the access to commence installations of rail systems. PM Wong estimates that this installation will be set to begin by the end of 2026. Once completed, travellers can expect the RTS Link to carry 20,000 people every hour, which is more than the capacity of the current KTM (Keretapi Tanah Melayu) Shuttle in an entire day.
Efforts to reduce congestion at immigration customs have also been acknowledged and both sides have welcomed the initiation of QR code clearance and automated clearance lanes in support of a seamless process for travellers.
3. Environmental cooperation and sustainability development
PM Anwar and PM Wong acknowledged the significant progress and successful implementation of their cross-border green electricity efforts including the inaugural pilot supply of green electricity from Malaysia by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) to Singapore through Sembcorp Power Pte Ltd. This is being done under the Cross-border Electricity Sales for Renewable Energy scheme, via the Energy Exchange Malaysia (ENEGEM) auction platform.
An exchange of the MOU for Cooperation in Cooperative Approaches was made under Article 6, Paragraph 2 of the Paris Agreement by Malaysia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) and Singapore’s Ministry of Trade & Industry (MTI). The leaders are looking forward to establish a binding bilateral agreement and affirmed continued partnership for sustainable growth and environmental stewardship.
Plans for Singapore to import renewable energy from Sarawak are in talks. The leaders also noted the ongoing joint feasibility study by TNB and Singapore Power (SP) Group to maximise the use of the existing interconnector.
They welcomed the enhanced cross-border electricity trade facilitated by the Lao PDR-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project (LTMS-PIP), which is showing up to 100MW flow of power from Malaysia to Singapore, having started in September 2024.
In addition, both Prime Ministers have acknowledged Singapore’s intention to open Consulates in Sabah and Sarawak.
Other outstanding bilateral issues discussed included airspace revisions to provide air traffic services Southern Peninsular Malaysia and maritime delimitation issues, which both parties remain committed to resolve.
Among some of the media questions fielded by the leaders, PM Wong tackled one around the possibility of reviving the Singapore-KL High Speed Rail (HSR), stating that while the HSR project is currently not be able to proceed, Singapore is open to new proposals from Malaysia as he believes that creating greater connectivity would benefit the people.
He was also asked about Singapore’s sentiments towards Malaysia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN, to which he expressed full support. PM Wong believes that it will now be more important for ASEAN to be strong, integrated and united as ASEAN would be facing grater competition outside the region.
Among questions for the corporate sector, he was quizzed about the incentives for investors and businesses to the Johor-Singapore SEZ, whereby he encouraged investors to look at the entire ecosystem between Singapore and Malaysia given that they complement one another.
On the Singapore, he talked about some of the existing programmes, adding: "We already have existing incentives for businesses who want to expand overseas, so businesses from Singapore can tap on those incentives – market readiness programmes and grants – in order to expand and have some operations in Johor that will synergise with their operations in Singapore."
After the conference, PM Anwar took to Facebook to express his gratitude on the progress around some of the discussions and appreciated Singapore for extending its support towards Malaysia's Chairmanship of ASEAN.
PM Wong also shared on Facebook: "My heartfelt thanks to PM Anwar and the Malaysian people for their warm hospitality. I look forward to welcoming PM Anwar to Singapore for the next Retreat."
Lead image / Anwar Ibrahim Facebook
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