Johor Baru-Singapore underground link to be studied (3 PHOTOS)

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and Singapore are examining the prospect of expanding the scope of the proposed Rapid Transit System (RTS) between Singapore and Johor Baru to include underground road link between the two neighbours, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today.

A study has been commissioned for the most viable option for the project, targeted to be operational by 2018, Najib told a joint media conference with his Singapore counterpart, Lee Hsien Loong, after the Malaysia-Singapore Leaders' Retreat here.

Officials from both countries are also studying international best practices to implement a dual co-located customs, immigration and quarantine system to complement the RTS link, according to a joint statement issued by the two governments.

Malaysia and Singapore, through the Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia, will also explore the possibility of establishing ferry and water taxi services as another means of transportation between the two countries.

A new work group on industrial cooperation will be formed under the committee to promote mutually beneficial twinning of economic activities between Iskandar Malaysia and Singapore.

The idea of the new work group is to cooperate and train more locals in industrial and manufacturing projects," Lee said.

He said the manufacturing sector, which represented almost a quarter of Singapore’s economy, was continuously upgraded and was growing.

However, Singapore has space and manpower constraints, he said.

"Iskandar Malaysia can provide infrastructure and industrial facilities for project expansion by Singapore companies or projects that want to come to Singapore but couldn’t be accommodated there. We can work together," he said.

Both leaders also welcomed initiatives pursued by the Malaysia-Singapore Business Council towards further enhancing trade and investment collaborations, including promoting Singapore investments in other economic corridors in Malaysia. 

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (left) and his Malaysia’s counterpart Datuk Seri Najib Razak shake hands in front of Malaysia’s landmark Putra Mosque, during a photo call as Lee arrives for the Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat in Putrajaya January 5, 2012.