Malaysia

2012

• Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made a working visit to PUB’s facilities at the Linggiu Reservoir and Johor River Water Works in Johor on 18 October 2012. 

• Senior Minister of State (SMS) for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs Masagos Zulkifli made an official visit to Kuala Lumpur and Pahang from 16 to 19 October 2012.  In Kuala Lumpur, SMS Masagos was hosted to lunch by Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Dato’ Lee Chee Leong and called on Deputy Minister of Higher Education Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah.  In Pahang, SMS Masagos had an audience with the Sultan of Pahang, His Royal Highness Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah.  SMS Masagos also met Menteri Besar Dato’ Sri Haji Adnan bin Haji Yaakob and Mufti of Pahang Datuk Abdul Rahman Osman.  During the visit, SMS Masagos discussed bilateral initiatives to expand educational exchanges, strengthen cooperation in combating drug trafficking and counterterrorism, and deepen economic engagement.  

• Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam, Minister for Health Gan Kim Yong, and Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Chan Chun Sing attended the Hari Raya Open House hosted by the Sultan of Johor, His Royal Highness Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar on 19 August 2012 at the Istana Pasir Pelangi, Johor Bahru. The Ministers were hosted to lunch by the Sultan and Her Royal Highness Raja Zarith Sofiah.  The Sultan and the Ministers affirmed the strong ties between Singapore and Johor. They also welcomed the growing cooperation between Singapore and Malaysia in Iskandar Malaysia.

• Minister of State (MOS) for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs Masagos Zulkifli visited Kuala Lumpur, Kedah and Perlis from 7 to 10 May 2012.  In Kuala Lumpur, MOS Masagos met Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Datuk Richard Riot Jaem and Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop.  In Kedah, MOS Masagos had an audience with the Chairman of the Kedah Council of Regency His Highness Tunku Annuar Sultan Badlishah and called on Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Azizan Abdul Razak.  In Perlis, MOS Masagos had an audience with the Raja of Perlis His Royal Highness Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail.  MOS Masagos was also hosted to lunch by the Raja of Perlis and Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Md Isa Sabu.  During the visit, MOS Masagos exchanged views on strengthening bilateral economic and security cooperation.

• Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak met in Putrajaya on 5 January 2012 for the Malaysia-Singapore Leaders' Retreat.  Prime Minister Lee was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean, Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang, Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam, Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Chan Chun Sing, and senior officials from various ministries.   

• During the Retreat, the Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction at the positive state of bilateral relations, including the growing trade and investment ties, and discussed a wide range of existing and potential areas for cooperation.  These included the collaboration between Khazanah Nasional Berhad and Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited through joint investments in Singapore and Iskandar Malaysia; the work done by the Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia in fostering bilateral co-operation in connectivity, immigration, tourism and the environment; the good progress made on the Rapid Transit Link between Singapore and Johor Bahru; and the formation of a new work group on industrial cooperation under the Joint Ministerial committee to promote mutually beneficial twinning of economic activities between Iskandar Malaysia and Singapore.  Both countries also affirmed the terms of the 1962 Water Agreement, and took note of the importance of implementing the necessary measures to ensure reliable water supply as provided for under the Agreement.  
  

2011

• Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin made an official visit to Singapore from 24 to 25 October 2011.  Tan Sri Muhyiddin was accompanied by his spouse, Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman.  During his visit, Tan Sri Muhyiddin called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean. He was also hosted to lunch by Minister for Education Heng Swee Keat.  

• Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam made his introductory visit to Malaysia from 14 to 15 September 2011.  During the visit, Minister Shanmugam called on Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, as well as Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato' Sri Anifah Aman, who hosted dinner.  Minister Shanmugam also met a range of other Malaysian personalities, including Minister of Defence Zahid Hamidi, Minister of Rural and Regional Development Dato Shafie Apdal, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Aziz.  

• The 1961 Water Agreement between the Johor State Government and PUB expired on 31 August 2011.  The waterworks under the Agreement were handed over free of charge and in good working order by PUB to the Johor State Government.  The handing/taking over document was signed by PUB Chairman Tan Gee Paw and Johor State Secretary Tuan Haji Obet Bin Tawil.  The signing ceremony, which was held at Gunong Pulai Waterworks, was graced by the Sultan of Johor, His Royal Highness Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, our Minister for Environment and Water Resources, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, and the Chief Minister of Johor, Dato' Haji Abdul Ghani bin Othman.  

• The Points of Agreement on Malayan Railway Land in Singapore were fully implemented on 1 July 2011, marking an important milestone in the relationship between the two countries.  The Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) station was relocated from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands Train Checkpoint, and Singapore resumed ownership over all Malayan Railway Administration land south of Woodlands Train Checkpoint.  Concurrently, the Singapore Government vested four parcels of land in Marina South and two parcels in Ophir-Rochor in the joint venture company, 'M+S Pte Ltd' for joint development, with 60% of the shares in the company held by Malaysia's Khazanah Nasional Berhad and the remaining 40% held by Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited.  The successful implementation of the agreement was the result of close bilateral cooperation, and paved the way for both countries to explore new areas of collaboration.  

• The Malaysia-Singapore Joint Implementation Team (MSJIT), established pursuant to the Joint Statement of 24 May 2010, completed its work on the implementation details of the Points of Agreement on Malayan Railway Land in Singapore.  These details were encapsulated in a written instrument, approved by the respective Governments, and signed by Malaysian Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam on 27 June 2011 in Putrajaya.  

2010

• The Malaysia-Singapore Joint Implementation Team met on 26-27 July, 26-27 August, 20-21 October, 29-30 November, 12-23 December, and 31 December 2010 in Singapore and Malaysia. The meetings discussed the implementation details arising from the agreement reached between the Prime Minister of Malaysia and the Prime Minister of Singapore at the Leaders' Retreat on 24 May 2010.

• The Malaysia-Singapore Joint Technical Committee met on 5 January, 26-27 July, and 29-30 November 2010 in Singapore and Malaysia to further discuss the implementation of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Judgment on Pedra Branca, Middle Rocks and South Ledge.

• Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo visited Penang on 27 November 2010 to pay his respects to the late Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu. Minister Yeo conveyed condolences on behalf of Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, as well as the Government and the people of Singapore to Dr Lim’s family and to the Government and the people of Malaysia. Dr Lim, the former Chief Minister of Penang, passed away on 24 November 2010.

• Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Prime Minister Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak met in Singapore on 20 September 2010 to follow up on their earlier meetings of 24 May 2010 and 22 June 2010. Prime Minister Najib was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato' Sri Anifah Aman, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed bin Yakcop, Minister of Transport Datuk Kong Cho Ha, Menteri Besar of Johor Dato' Haji Abdul Ghani bin Othman and other senior officials.

• On 22 June 2010, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong visited Malaysia to discuss the land swap issue with Prime Minister Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak and convey Singapore's offer on the land swap to Prime Minister Najib. Both Leaders had a productive meeting on the land swap offer and announced that both countries will reduce their respective toll charges at the Second Link by 30% with effect from 1 August 2010. Prime Minister Lee was accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo, Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan, Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam, and other officials from various ministries.

• The Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato' Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak, visited Singapore from 23 to 24 May 2010 for a Retreat with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Prime Minister Najib was accompanied by his wife Datin Sri Rosmah Mansor, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato' Sri Anifah Aman, Minister of International Trade and Industry Dato' Sri Mustapa bin Mohamed, Minister of Transport Dato' Sri Ong Tee Keat, Minister of Home Affairs Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed bin Yakcop, Menteri Besar of Johor Dato' Haji Abdul Ghani bin Othman and other senior officials from various ministries. Prime Minister Najib and the Malaysian delegation were hosted to a Welcome Dinner by Prime Minister Lee on 23 May 2010.

• During the Retreat on 24 May 2010, the Leaders and Ministers from both countries discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional developments. Significantly, an agreement was reached between Prime Minister Lee and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on the implementation of the Points of Agreement (POA). The Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad railway station will be relocated from Tanjong Pagar to the Woodlands Train Checkpoint by 1 July 2011. As part of the deal, Malaysia will get three POA parcels (Tanjong Pagar, Kranji and Woodlands) and three Bukit Timah land parcels for development by a joint venture company, M-S Pte Ltd. There was also agreement between the two Prime Ministers on establishing a rapid transit system linking Johor Bahru and Singapore. Separately, the two leaders also agreed that Khazanah Nasional Berhad and Temasek Holdings Limited would form a 50-50 joint venture company to undertake the development of an iconic township project in Iskandar Malaysia. Prime Minister Lee also informed Prime Minister Najib that all the waterworks under the 1961 Water Agreement (WA) would be returned to Johor gratis and in good working condition upon the expiry of the WA.

• Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew visited Johor on 20 February 2010 to extend condolences to the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim, on the passing of his father, Sultan Iskandar.

• Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo, Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan and Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan travelled to Johor’s Istana Besar to pay their respects to Sultan Iskandar of Johor on 23 January 2010 following the Sultan’s passing on 22 January 2010.