Connectivity between S'pore and Kuala Lumpur top agenda at annual Leaders Retreat
Date：2015/05/06
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JOHOR BARU: The connectivity between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur is expected to be one of the highlights discussed at the 6th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders Retreat.
Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, a delegate at the retreat, said the discussions will be led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak who will make a two-day working visit to Singapore.
It is learnt that the Rapid Transit System Link (RTS) which links Singapore and Kuala Lumpur is expected to be discussed in-depth.
The Land and Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar who is behind the RTS is also a delegate to the retreat and will present its feasibility study paper on the proposed high-speed rail link from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, which will reduce the 300km journey over land from 5 hours to about 90 minutes.
However, for Johor, the building of the RTS, with Najib calling it a "huge game changer", has the power to act as catalyst in Johor economy, especially in the slow trend of property sector in Iskandar.
Another topic expected to be raised is also the proposed Friendship bridge, the third bridge between Singapore and Johor, as symbol of friendship between the two neighbours.
The bridge, proposed by Najib in 2013, has gained positive responses from the Johor community, including the business fraternity.
Meanwhile the Foreign Affairs Ministry in a statement said Najib is scheduled to have a four-eyed meeting with his counterpart Lee Hsien Loong, followed by a delegation meeting where both sides will discuss bilateral issues of mutual concern and review the progress of existing bilateral cooperation, including initiatives upon agreed during the 2014 Leaders' Retreat.
A memorandum of understanding between Malaysia and Singapore on Co-Operation in Developing Urban Search and Rescue Capabilities and Supplemental Agreement to the Agreement for the Construction and Operation of a Ferry Terminal and the Operation of a Ferry Service between Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore will be signed during the retreat.
"The Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet the representatives of Malaysian Association in Singapore and attend a dialogue session with top business leaders and influencers in Singapore," it said.
Najib is also scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the Economic Society of Singapore (ESS) annual dinner tomorrow.