6th Meeting of The Malaysia-Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) For Iskandar Malaysia (IM)

23 April 2010, By IRDA

Kuala Lumpur, 23rd April 2010, Friday

The Malaysia – Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) for Iskandar Malaysia met for its sixth working meeting at the Le Meridien Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. The meeting was co-chaired by Y.B. Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, Malaysia Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and H.E. Minister Mah Bow Tan, Singapore Minister for National Development. Also present was the Chief Minister of Johor, Y.A.B.Dato’ Haji Abdul Ghani Othman and Singapore Minister for Transport, H.E. Minister Raymond Lim.

2. The JMC reviewed the progress achieved so far by the joint Work Groups on Transportation, Immigration, Tourism, Environment, and the Iconic Project.

3. The JMC has made significant progress in terms of enhancing connectivity between IM and Singapore. On the Transportation front, the JMC was informed that a One-Stop Service Centre in Johor Bahru has been set up to cater to both Malaysian and Singaporean public transport operators licensing requirements. A further 8 new bus routes between Singapore and JB will be launched to increase mobility and connectivity, and improvements to Cross-Border Taxi services are being studied.

4. With regard to Immigration, the JMC was informed that the criteria for frequent traveller applicants for the Malaysia Automated Clearance System (MACS) has been set at 4 times a month. The Immigration Work Group also announced the implementation of 24-hour operations by Malaysian customs for all inbound and outbound lorries travelling through the Tanjung Puteri Cargo Complex.

5. The JMC also discussed several joint collaboration projects. The Tourism Work Group agreed to adopt a themed approach in jointly marketing a dual destination experience with possibilities in sports, edu-culture and MICE (Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions and Exhibitions). The work group also shared the progress of the joint feasibility study to develop and market a trans-boundary, joint eco-tourism attraction involving Singapore’s Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and Iskandar Malaysia’s three Ramsar sites of Sungai Pulai, Pulau Kukup and Tanjung Piai. The Iconic Project Work Group presented a jointly developed iconic concept to the JMC. On the Environment front, progress has been made in terms of sharing of expertise and experience and in the development of action plans for cleaning up of the 3 rivers viz Sg Segget, Sg Tebrau and Sg Skudai in IM.

6. Y.B. Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said “The progress updates by each work group indicate that we are progressing on schedule and clearly demonstrate a close and collaborative partnership between Malaysia and Singapore.”

7. H.E. Minister Mah Bow Tan further added “Iskandar Malaysia has tremendous economic potential and Singapore is committed to work with Malaysia, through the Joint Ministerial Committee, to make it a success. A successful Iskandar Malaysia will bring economic and social benefits to both countries.”

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Contact details:

Ms Noor Aisah Tawab
Deputy Director, Corridor Development Division,
Public Private Partnership Unit,
Prime Ministers Department Malaysia.
Malaysia
Tel.: +60 3 888 05931
Fax:+60 3 888 05959
Email: aisah@3pu.gov.my

Mr Senbagavalli d/o Arumugam
Assistant Director, Corporate Communications
Ministry of National Development
Singapore
Tel.: +65 31067295
Fax: +65 31067254
Email: senbagavalli_arumugam@mnd.gov.sg