Malaysia–Singapore relations
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Malaysia–Singapore relations (Malay Hubungan Malaysia-Singapura, Chinese 新马关系) refers to the bilateral foreign relations between the two countries Malaysia and Singapore, after the separation of Singapore from the Federation of Malaysia in 1965. Singapore has a high commission in Kuala Lumpur and a consulate general in Johor Bahru, while Malaysia has a high commission in Singapore. Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations and ASEAN.
Five power defence arrangements
Singapore and Malaysia are part of the Five Power Defence Arrangements, along with New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. Both sides, along with Indonesia, help each other respond to threats by Jemaah Islamiah (JI).
Trade
Malaysia is Singapore's biggest trading partner, with bilateral trade totaling roughly 91 billion US dollars in 2012, accounting for over a fifth of total trade within ASEAN.[1][2]
Transport
The two countries are connected by the Johor–Singapore Causeway and the Tuas Second Link.
The Second Link is a bridge connecting Singapore and Johor, Malaysia. In Singapore, it is officially known as the Tuas Second Link. The bridge was built to reduce traffic congestion at the Johor–Singapore Causeway. It opened on 2 January 1998. The twin-deck bridge supports a dual-three lane carriageway linking Kampong Ladang at Tanjung Kupang in Johor to Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim at Tuas in Singapore. The span over water is 1,920 metres (6,300 ft).
On the Malaysian side, the bridge is connected to the Second Link Expressway (Malay: Lebuhraya Laluan Kedua Malaysia-Singapura), also known as Linkedua Expressway, which links from Senai North Interchange Exit 253 at North-South Expressway, Senai Airport and Taman Perling, Johor Bahru via its extension known as Johor Bahru Parkway. In Singapore, the bridge connects to the Ayer Rajah Expressway.
The Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, a high-speed rail line between Malaysia and Singapore, under development, is scheduled to open in 2018.[3][4] This long-delayed project required the resolution of a dispute between the two countries over transportation links and Singaporean investment in Iskandar Malaysia in 2010. Malaysian and Singaporean counterparts thereby agreed to modify the Points of Agreement signed in 1990. Specifically, the two sides agreed to move the KTM railway station from Tanjung Pagar to Woodlands and created a joint venture to be called M-S Pte Ltd to develop six parcels of Singapore land, develop a rapid transit link between Tanjung Pateri in Johor Baru and Woodlands in Singapore, and allow Temasek Holdings and Khazanah to set up a joint venture for the purpose of developing a town in Iskandar Malaysia.[5] The two countries also agreed to co-located Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) facilities so that travelers pass through only one immigration checkpoint when using the service.[3]
Singapore and Malaysia also agreed to build the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail in 2013. The project is expected to be completed by 2026, and would connect Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru to Singapore.
Disputes
Since the expulsion of Singapore from the Federation in 1965, several other differences developed between Singapore and Malaysia, including a dispute over water prices (under the 1961 and 1962 water agreements) and ownership of Pedra Branca, an island off the coast of Johor.
See also
- Malaysia–Singapore border
- Pedra Branca dispute
- People's Action Party–United Malays National Organisation relations, the ruling parties of Singapore and Malaysia
References
Library resources about Malaysia–Singapore relations |
- ↑ SPEECHES BY PRIME MINISTER LEE HSIEN LOONG AND MALAYSIAN PRIME MINISTER NAJIB TUN RAZAK AT THE OFFICIAL DINNER AT THE ISTANA ON 22 MAY 2009
- ↑ Trade With Major Trading Partners
- 1 2 S'pore, M'sia discuss ways to ease CIQ clearance with rapid transit link, by S. Ramesh, Channel News Asia, 1 December 2010.
- ↑ M’sia, S’pore joint implementation team meets, Bernama, 29 August 2010.
- ↑ Malaysia and Singapore end deadlock on key issues, The Star, 25 May 2010.