Leaders of both nations agree on the need for collaborative solutions to address key challenges and enhance cooperation.
The Prime Ministers of Singapore and Malaysia have reiterated their dedication to resolving long-standing bilateral issues, including airspace, maritime borders, and water, through cooperative and sustainable solutions. Speaking at a joint press conference on January 7, the leaders acknowledged that while progress has been made, significant time is still required to fully address these complex matters.
Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister of Singapore, highlighted that these unresolved issues should not overshadow the broader relationship between the two nations. He stressed the importance of continued collaboration in crucial sectors such as trade, energy, and economic development. Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, agreed, asserting that solutions should be mutually beneficial and should not hinder advancement in other important areas.
This meeting marked Wong’s first leaders’ retreat since assuming office in May 2024, although he and Anwar have already met multiple times, fostering stronger diplomatic ties. Both leaders have instructed their officials to engage regularly and swiftly address these challenges, with plans for quarterly meetings to monitor progress.
“While we seek timely resolutions, it’s vital that our officials have the time to understand each other’s perspectives and develop sustainable solutions that benefit both sides,” Wong explained. Anwar added that constructive discussions had led to some positive progress, but challenges remain due to the complexity of the issues.
Despite these challenges, the two leaders have made strides in joint projects such as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone and the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link. Both Wong and Anwar expressed confidence that, through continued dialogue, they would resolve outstanding issues and achieve positive outcomes.
Anwar described Singapore as not just a neighbour but a crucial ally, underscoring the growing collaboration in emerging fields like education, energy, and investment. Wong echoed this sentiment, emphasising that the trust between the two leaders is key to their deepening bilateral relationship.
The retreat also advanced agreements in various sectors, including a significant deal on the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). Additionally, Wong noted that Singapore is open to exploring new proposals for the High-Speed Rail (HSR) project linking Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, recognising the importance of enhancing connectivity between the nations.
While the HSR project has faced multiple delays and was eventually cancelled in 2020 after several postponements, Anwar mentioned that Malaysia is now considering private sector involvement to finance the project. He noted that, due to other pressing national priorities, large-scale infrastructure projects are currently on hold but that the Malaysian government remains open to private sector participation in the future.
Both leaders concluded their discussions with a mutual commitment to ongoing collaboration, not only bilaterally but also on shared regional issues, aiming to overcome challenges and build upon their strong partnership.
