S'PORE, M'SIA TO STUDY ICONIC ECONOMIC PROJECT IN ISKANDAR MALAYSIA

SINGAPORE, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Singapore and Malaysia Wednesday formed a new
workgroup to study the joint development of an iconic economic project in
Iskandar Malaysia, the southern development corridor in the state of Johor.

The setting up of the new work group was agreed upon in the working meeting
of the 5th Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) for Iskandar Malaysia which
concluded here Wednesday, according to a joint statement by Malaysia's Economic
Planning Unit of the Prime Minister's Department and Singapore's National
Development Ministry.

The meeting was a follow-up to the discussion between Malaysian Prime
Minister Najib Razak and his counterpart Lee Hsien Loong when Najib visited
Singapore in May this year.

In the May meeting, both leaders mooted a bilateral project in Iskandar
Malaysia where it would showcase the commitment of both countries to build a
strong, productive and enduring relationship.

The JMC also reviewed the progress made so far by the Joint Work Groups on
Immigration, Transportation, Tourism, and Environment.

A study has also been commissioned to assess the feasibility of nature sites
for joint tourism development, which could potentially increase tourism flows
into and between Iskandar Malaysia and Singapore, the statement said.

The study sites are Sungai Pulai, Tanjung Piai and Pulau Kukup, collectively
known as the Ramsar sites in the Iskandar Malaysia, and Sungei Buloh Wetland
Reserve in Singapore.

On immigration issue, the statement noted that the pilot of the Malaysian
Automated Clearance System that gave frequent travellers to Iskandar Malaysia
access to "fast track" lanes was extended to all frequent travellers to Malaysia
last month.

Both countries also agreed to double the cross-border bus services by
January next year.

The JMC will meet again in the first half of 2010 to review the progress of
the Joint Work Groups.
--BERNAMA