Mr Wong called the current projects between Singapore and Malaysia “major game changers”, including the upcoming Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link.
He said that while people harp a lot on the economic competition between Singapore and Malaysia, both countries actually complement one another, and that the bigger competition is beyond the Singapore-Malaysia dynamic and outside of the region.
“In fact, we are more similar than we are different. We are two countries with enduring ties of culture, kinship and history. We are both committed to forging more inclusive societies based on good governance and social harmony,” said Mr Wong.
ADDRESSING OUTSTANDING ISSUES
Both leaders also committed to addressing outstanding issues between the countries, including on water, airspace and maritime borders.
“Whatever differences we may have on these issues should not affect or colour how we treat the overall relationship, and certainly should not detract from the possibilities of pursuing new areas of cooperation,” said Mr Wong.
When asked if there was a timeline established to address the issues, Mr Anwar quipped: “They should’ve resolved it yesterday.”
The Malaysian leader said he is pleased that Mr Wong, in his first meeting as prime minister, seems to be as committed to enhancing relations and settling outstanding issues as his predecessor Mr Lee, whom Mr Anwar called “a great friend”.
“I am deeply impressed with his agenda and his willingness to be very frank, very open and I think I look forward to a very healthy and strong relations and bond to benefit both our countries,” said Mr Anwar.
He said the last year has been “phenomenal” for the relationship and collaboration between both nations.
“And I think I see this in a pragmatic manner that Malaysia would of course immensely benefit by having Singapore as a great friend and neighbour, and similarly to the benefit of Singaporeans too,” said Mr Anwar.
Mr Wong said that at the upcoming Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat, both sides will take stock of the progress of discussions that have been ongoing, while also looking at new ideas that may come up.
“We are open to hearing from Malaysia if there are proposals for the high-speed rail as well, and whatever the new ideas are, we will keep an open mind and we will discuss it in the right spirit of taking our relationship forward,” he said.
The high-speed rail project, which aimed to reduce travel time between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to about 90 minutes, had been discontinued after multiple postponements at Malaysia’s request and an eventual lapsing of an agreement in December 2020.
