Singapore clears the air on Iskandar cooperation with M'sia

The Straits Times, May 22, 2007


THE Singapore Government has sought to quell talk that its involvement in the high-level joint ministerial committee to explore collaborative ideas in Johor's new economic zone, the Iskandar Development Region, will threaten Malaysia's soverignty.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement released on Tuesday that the proposed Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) was a 'not a concession to Singapore as some have suggested' but a platform for both countries to 'explore ideas for collaboration in the Iskandar Development Region (IDR) project, and ways in which Singapore can help the IDR to succeed.'

The move follows talk in the Malaysian media that Malaysia may become too dependent on Singapore to woo investors to the IDR, and in turn become a 'back alley'.

The statement said that the JMC will not be involved in the running of the IDR.

It added that Singapore will let Malaysia take the lead on the JMC and will proceed with it 'only if the Malaysian and Johor authorities want us to do so.'

At last Tuesday's retreat in Langkawi, Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong had agreed to set up the JMC to discuss issues related to Singapore's involvement in developing the IDR.

Some Malaysian media then reported that the Malays across the Causeway are concerned over Singapore's involvement.

Media reports said they fear it would mean Singapore influencing or deciding the IDR's direction, thus threatening Malaysia's sovereignty.

Outstanding issues won't hold back IDR collaboration

The MFA statement also added that the two leaders will discuss outstanding bilateral issues later 'and not let them hold back the bilateral cooperation in the IDR.'

These issues include the price of water, the status of railway land, the Pedra Branca terroritorial dispute and the proposed bridge to replace the Causeway.

The MFA statement reaffirmed what the two leaders had stressed in Langkawi - 'the importance of Singapore-Malaysia relations not only to the peoples on both sides of the Causeway but also as a catalyst for regional growth.'

It also stressed that the IDR collaboration will be mutually beneficial despite 'more competitive pressures on Singapore.'

'A good start has been made in Langkawi to move into a phase of strategic cooperation. Singapore looks forward to working closely with Malaysia to make further progress in the months and years ahead.'