BOOK ON HISTORY OF CAUSEWAY TO BE LAUNCHED SOON -- MINISTER

SINGAPORE, June 21 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian government, with the
cooperation of Singapore, had completed a book on the history of the Johor
Causeway, said Information Communication and Culture Minister Dr Rais
Yatim.

He hoped the book would be launched soon by both the Malaysian and Singapore
Prime Ministers Najib Tun Razak and Lee Hsien Loong respectively.

"The book explained the history and socio-economic relations between the
states in the Straits Settlements namely Singapore, Melaka and Penang with
Malaya or the Federation of Malaya," he said.

Rais disclosed this to Bernama and RTM after a ceremony to hand over
contributions to Singapore veteran Malay artistes, here recently.

The Department of Broadcasting, Malaysia, DBA (doing business as) Radio
Televisyen Malaysia (abbreviated RTM), is a Malaysian state-owned public
broadcaster. It owns and operates a number of radio and television stations in
Malaysia, based in Kuala Lumpur

The book recalled the historic event leading to the construction of the
Johor Causeway stretching more than 1km using Malay, Chinese and Indian labour
force by the British administration, he said.

Rais, who was in Singapore to attend the Forum of Asian Ministers on
Information and Communication Technology 2011 (CommunicAsia) beginning
Monday, also had discussions with his Singapore counterpart, Dr Yaacob
Ibrahim on the launching of the book.

The forum, which was attended by representatives from 50 countries
worldwide, was officially opened by Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee
Hean.