KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia and Singapore have agreed to deepen cooperation in investment and trade, with a particular focus on key bilateral initiatives, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.
Anwar said the understanding was reached during his meeting with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, held on the sidelines of the 46th Asean Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Bernama reported.
“Prime Minister Lawrence and I expressed our commitment to further enhance cooperation in investment and trade, apart from focusing on key projects such as the JS-SEZ and the RTS Link,” Anwar said.
The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is a cross-border economic initiative designed to enhance economic cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore.
It aims to attract high-value investments, improve connectivity, and facilitate trade between the two nations.
The JS-SEZ spans multiple flagship zones in Johor, including Iskandar Malaysia, Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex, and Forest City, each focusing on different industries such as manufacturing, logistics, tourism, and digital economy.
The initiative also includes financial facilitation from major banks and tax incentives to encourage investment.
The Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link is a railway shuttle connecting Johor Bahru, Malaysia, to Woodlands, Singapore.
It is a 4km-long light rail transit system designed to ease congestion at immigration checkpoints by integrating customs and immigration processes at the departure station.
The RTS Link will have a capacity of 10,000 passengers per hour per direction, significantly improving cross-border travel efficiency. The project includes a maintenance depot in Johor Bahru and is operated by a joint venture between Malaysia’s Prasarana and Singapore’s SMRT Corporation.
Both projects are key components of Malaysia-Singapore cooperation, enhancing economic integration and mobility between the two countries.
Also present during the meeting were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, and Singapore’s Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.
Anwar added that both leaders also agreed to broaden collaboration in emerging areas such as the digital economy, sustainable energy, and the Asean Power Grid.
“Malaysia and Singapore also agreed to resolve bilateral issues constructively for the mutual benefit of both nations and to maintain long-term harmonious relations,” he said.
Wong arrived in Malaysia yesterday to participate in the 46th Asean Summit today, as well as the 2nd Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Summit, both scheduled for tomorrow at the same venue.
The 46th Asean Summit, held under the chairmanship theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, marks Malaysia’s fifth time chairing the regional bloc, having previously done so in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015. - May 26, 2025
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