By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah
SINGAPORE, Feb 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Singapore have up to 12 months to decide on the preferred option for the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link between Singapore and Johor Bahru, following the Joint Engineering Study (JES).
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said the phase one of the JES to identify alignment and station scheme option for the RTS had been completed in November last year.
"Officials from both countries are finalising the review of the final report," he told a press conference here Monday in conjunction with the Leaders' Retreat 2013.
The two-day retreat starting here today, features Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong, with the RTS being among the main topics of their discussion.
According to reports, depending on the outcome of the JES study,the RTS link may see trains run above ground or via undersea tunnel.
The RTS is also among the highlights of the progress of implementation of the Points of Agreement (POA), reached between both leaders at their meeting on Jan 5 in Putrajaya last year, as well as the Leaders' Joint Statement on May 24, 2010.
Anifah said other matters to be discussed under the POA are the M+S Development Projects in Marina Bay and Ophir-Rochor and Pulau Indah Ventures Development of the Urban and Resort Wellness Projects in Iskandar Malaysia.
He said the joint investments in MS+ Pte Ltd - a joint venture between Khazanah Nasional Bhd and Temasek Holdings Pte Ltd - are proceeding well.
Tuesday afternoon, Najib and Lee will witness the unveiling of the model for the Marina One project in Marina Bay.
"The 50:50 investment in Pulau Indah Ventures is for the development of the five-acre Urban Wellness project in Medini North and a 210-acre Resort Wellness project in Medini Central, both in Iskandar Malaysia.
"Both prime ministers will witness the unveiling of the Urban Wellness development and officially launch its ground breaking," he added.
Anifah said the prime ministers will also discuss progress of cooperation under the Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM).
He added that Najib and Lee will take stock of the progress in the implementation of various initiatives discussed during the last retreat.
These include cooperation in aviation and airport services between Senai Airport and Changi Airport, alignment of the Radio Frequence Spectrum Plan, cooperation in higher education, technical and vocational and establishment of ferry and water taxi services between Puteri Harbour in Iskandar Malaysia and Tuas in Singapore.
Both Najib and Lee are also expected to explore new initiatives to enhance further bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore.
-- BERNAMA
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