Joint Media Release by MOT and MND - Minister for Transport and Minister for National Development Host Menteri Besar of Johor to Iftar

1     Mr S Iswaran, Singapore’s Minister for Transport and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations and Mr Desmond Lee, Singapore’s Minister for National Development and Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration, hosted YAB Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Menteri Besar of Johor, to iftar on Monday, 18 April 2022. 

2     YAB Datuk Onn Hafiz is on an official visit to Singapore from 17 to 19 April 2022. He is accompanied by members of the Johor State Executive Council, Johor State Economic Planning Division, Johor Economic, Tourism and Cultural Office, and Iskandar Regional Development Authority. 

3     During the iftar, both Ministers discussed with YAB Datuk Onn Hafiz bilateral co-operation between Singapore and Johor State. These included areas of transport, food safety and security, and economic collaboration, under the ambit of the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM).  

4     Earlier in the day, Minister Iswaran also hosted YAB Datuk Onn Hafiz to a site visit of the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link Woodlands North Terminus to observe the progress of the project.

5     Minister Iswaran said, “Malaysia is Singapore’s closest neighbour, and Johor is just across the Causeway. Our ties are deeply intertwined, with longstanding economic and people-to-people relations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, both our countries took significant steps to restore air and land connectivity, reuniting families and helping businesses recover. As we emerge from the pandemic, it is important that we continue to build on our strong relations and strengthen bilateral and transport cooperation.”

6     Minister Lee said, “It is important to strengthen our bilateral cooperation with Malaysia to ensure that both countries emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic in a stronger position. In particular, we are exploring new areas of collaboration for Iskandar Malaysia which were discussed at the 14th JMCIM meeting in December 2021. Looking ahead, we will continue to work together to deepen the partnership and friendship between Singapore and Johor.”