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IDR’S
MALAYSIA-SINGAPORE JOINT MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE
HELD FIRST MEETING IN JOHOR BAHRU
Johor Bahru, 23 July 2007
The Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) for
the Iskandar Development Region (IDR) met today for its inaugural
meeting at Pulai Springs Resort in Johor Bahru.
The establishment of the JMC on the IDR was
first announced by the Prime Ministers of Malaysia and Singapore
in Langkawi, Kedah following their meeting in May 2007, with
the aim of facilitating cooperation between the two countries
in relation to the IDR.
Jointly
chaired by YB Dato Sri Effendi Norwawi, Minister in the Prime
Minister’s Department, Malaysia and H.E. Mr. Mah Bow
Tan, Minister for National Development, Singapore, the JMC
also included as members the Chief Minister of Johor, YAB
Dato’ Haji Abdul Ghani Othman and H.E. Mr. Raymond Lim,
Minister for Transport, Singapore.
During the warm and fruitful two-hour meeting,
members of the committee agreed on the formation of four Work-Groups
to look into facilitating immigration clearance, enhancing
transportation links, tourism co-operation and environmental
collaboration. These Work-Groups, which would involve relevant
agencies on both sides, are tasked to identify and prioritise
specific projects for collaboration in each of the four areas.
YB Dato Sri Effendi Norwawi noted this positive
outcome: “The endorsement of these four Work-Groups
sets the foundation for deep and meaningful cooperation between
Malaysia and Singapore, focused on realising the potential
that the IDR has to offer. It’s about facilitating the
movement of people, goods and ideas so that we can better
complement each other’s strengths.”
H.E. Mr. Mah Bow Tan added: “The JMC
is a concrete follow-up to the Langkawi Retreat in May where
our Prime Ministers agreed to explore bilateral co-operation
to develop the IDR. Singapore is keen to work with Malaysia
on the IDR’s development and is confident that a successful
IDR will benefit both our countries.”
The Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and Iskandar
Regional Development Authority (IRDA) are the joint secretariat
for JMC along with the Ministry of National Development, Singapore.
The JMC will meet quarterly, while the Work-Groups will meet
more regularly to ensure a successful implementation of the
initiatives identified. The Work-Groups are slated to meet
within the next month and report their progress to
the JMC at its next meeting in October.
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Last
updated on 23 July 2007
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