S’pore and Malaysia update RTS plans, agree to collaborate more on anti-drug enforcement and health

SINGAPORE – Singapore and Malaysia have inked an additional deal on the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link.

The two countries will also conduct more joint activities and exercises as they strengthen collaboration in their fight against the illicit trafficking of drugs and work together more on healthcare under agreements exchanged on Dec 4.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim witnessed the exchange during the 12th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat held at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore hotel.

The two countries, who are also celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations, will exchange more information on the trends and techniques used in the production, abuse, trafficking and illicit diversion of drugs.

On healthcare, both countries have agreed to strengthen cooperation in research and policy exchange.

More exchange of knowledge and best practices, as well as cross-border visits of experts and officials is also on the cards as part of the agreement which covers collaboration on digital health, health financing, public health and long-term care and healthy ageing, amongst others.

Both leaders will be speaking at a joint press conference this afternoon.

This is the second annual retreat PM Wong and Datuk Seri Anwar – who are both also the finance ministers of their countries – have attended as heads of government.

In a Facebook post earlier on Dec 4 upon his arrival, Mr Anwar said the annual meeting is an important platform for the leaders of both countries to enhance cooperation.

Writing in Malay, he added that he is confident that closer and stronger diplomatic relations with Singapore – a close neighbour and “an Asean friend” – will benefit the citizens of both countries.

The previous retreat was held on Jan 6 and 7 in Putrajaya, Malaysia’s administrative capital, where the pair witnessed the exchange of an agreement on the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, and pledged to collaborate in areas like education, energy and shared heritage.

PM Wong also said then that progress has been made on the complex issues between the two countries, but both sides need more time to resolve them.

Outstanding issues include airspace, water and the delimitation of maritime boundaries.

Mr Anwar said the final settlement of these issues should be a “win-win sort of position”.

The 11th retreat was meant to be held in December 2024 but was postponed to January 2025 after PM Wong contracted Covid-19.