Saturday May 19, 8:17
AM
Malaysia happy to
connect to S'pore via MRT: Syed Hamid
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is keen on fresh negotiations with Singapore
on a new bridge linking the island with the southern Malaysian
state of Johor.
The Malaysian Foreign Minister says there is no better time than
now to pursue the issue, with bilateral relations on the
upswing.
Mr Syed Hamid Albar also says Malaysia will be happy to be
connected to Singapore via the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)
system.
He says the informal meeting between the Prime Ministers of
Malaysia and Singapore on Langkawi has established a mechanism for
future negotiations on outstanding issues.
"There's no better time than now when relationship is so superb, so
good, to take advantage of the environment, the environment is
conducive for some concrete achievements while looking at the old
tracks, tracks to be resolved," he says.
Mr Syed Hamid, who is a Member of Parliament from Johor, says a new
bridge between the state and Singapore will accommodate the robust
development of Malaysia's southern region.
"The bridge is important, because I think we want give a different
face to the southern gate to Malaysia
We are very happy to be
integrated together on the MRT, and it will serve well both sides,
Singapore as well as the internal Iskandar Development
Region.
"At the same time, we also have hopefully our railway to Johor and
from Johor connected to the other system," he says.
Mr Syed Hamid says both prime ministers will continue driving the
process of negotiations on outstanding issues, "We need to go on at
the highest level, Prime Minister to Prime Minister. We need to
find a different mechanism and for that purpose, we will get the
guidelines from our Prime Minister and Singapore's."
The two-day bilateral meeting of the two leaders was their first in
three years.
Analysts hailed their decision to set up a joint ministerial
committee to oversee Johor's Iskandar Development Region as a
breakthrough, but some Malaysian legislators were more
cautious.
While the Langkawi meeting has succeeded in breaking the ice
between both the countries, lawmakers in Malaysia have voiced their
concerns over the setup of a joint ministerial committee to oversee
the development of the Iskandar Development Region.
Some worry that Malaysia's sovereignty may be compromised, while
others raise concerns over the issue of implementation.
MP Wee Ka Siong says, "We see the political will among national
leaders but when it comes to implementation this is a big challenge
whether those government agencies can really follow the
instructions from the top."
Mr Syed Hamid allayed such concerns, emphasising that there is
commitment at the top level of both governments.
He also expressed confidence that such cooperative efforts can
yield a balance of benefits for both countries. - CNA/yy
