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The Sunday Star
by Roger Tan
Johoreans are excited about the recent breakthrough in talks between Singapore
and Malaysia and are looking forward to reaping the benefits of future
developments.
 As a Johorean, I welcome the historic agreement reached at the meeting last
Monday between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his Singaporean
counterpart Lee Hsien Loong.
Finally, we can see some light at the end of the tunnel after being gridlocked
for two decades over the interpretation on the Points of Agreement signed
between former Malaysian Finance Minister Tun Daim Zainuddin and Lee Kuan Yew on
Nov 27, 1990 – the day he stepped down as prime minister of Singapore.
Even though the agreement may have already thrown some politicians into
conniptions, it is nevertheless reassuring to see both prime ministers, who are
also sons of the founding fathers of our two nations, determined to improve and
enhance ties by increasing connectivity between our two peoples geographically
and economically.
In fact, Johor Baru residents are particularly excited over the announcement.
Taxi drivers and commuters are overjoyed that authorised cabs will soon be able
to pick up and drop off passengers from any location in Singapore or Johor Baru
instead of at just two places – Bugis in Singapore and Kota Raya terminal in
Johor Baru.
In addition, bus services between Johor Baru and Singapore will be doubled with
the introduction of four new routes on each side.
It is also hoped that the reduction of toll rates at the Second Link will help
ease the traffic congestion at the Causeway.
However, what local residents most want is the creation of a rapid transit
system link between Johor Baru and Singapore as close to 100,000 Malaysians
commute daily between both destinations to work and study.
To them, a new bridge is not the priority; instead, they want an effective mass
rapid train system capable of moving thousands of workers and students to and
from Singapore daily.
As this is projected to be ready only by 2018, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad must
immediately get down to prepare for a huge increase of Johor Baru residents
opting to travel to Singapore by KTM trains during this transition period when
its station is relocated from Tanjong Pagar to the Woodlands Train Checkpoint in
July next year. Hence, KTM must improve on its services and the comfort of its
train coaches.
There is no doubt that the integrated rapid transit system link will bring
long-term benefits to Singapore as well as Johor, particularly to the two
integrated casino resorts in Singapore and the Iskandar Development Region in
Johor.
Similarly, the image of Johor Baru city will be transformed as, too often, the
experience of travelling to Johor Baru from Singapore has been likened by many
tourists to travelling to Tijuana, Mexico, from San Diego, USA.
In this respect, it is a wise decision to give up the KTM station in Tanjong
Pagar. Surely, the old and unimpressive KTM station should not be the gateway to
those who intend to visit Malaysia through this route. It makes no sense to hold
on to these pieces of leased properties, the use of which is strictly restricted
to railway operations by the 1918 Railway Ordinance. It is also not legally
possible for Malaysia to turn the Tanjong Pagar station, for example, into a
Kuala Lumpur Sentral type development.
For Singapore, this will substantially lighten the burden on their enforcement
agencies in checking the KTM trains from Johor Baru to the Tanjong Pagar station
for illegal immigrants and drug smuggling.
However, as soon as KTM vacates the Tanjong Pagar station, Singapore will own
40% of the six pieces of land to be jointly developed through the 40% stake held
by Singapore’s Temasek Holdings Limited in M-S Pte Ltd (JVC) as the properties
will be vested and transferred to the JVC. Malaysia’s 60% in the JVC will be
held by Khazanah Nasional Berhad.
The six pieces of land can also be swopped for pieces of land in Marina South
and/or Ophir-Rochor with equivalent value.
This is understandable since the value of these lands has been enhanced after
conversion of land use. It follows for this joint development to succeed and for
both countries to maximise the benefits of the venture, the JVC should be
professionally managed and free from political interference.
Though Malaysia has majority control over the JVC, Singapore can still exercise
control over it as it is still subject to Singapore property development laws
and authorities.
Hence, judging from past experience, one has to concede that the success of this
new venture is still very much dependent on the prevailing level of relationship
between the two countries.
That said, Khazanah must never at any time for reason of making quick gains sell
any part or the whole of its 60% stake to Temasek as this gigantic development
is also a great opportunity for Malaysian workers to acquire skills and improve
themselves. Preference should be given to workers and professionals from Johor,
albeit this is sadly not enthusiastically pursued by Khazanah in the Iskandar
Development.
With regard to water, Malaysians must now acknowledge that it is no longer our
bargaining chip with Singapore. The fact that Singapore is prepared to allow the
1961 Agreement to expire next year without re-negotiation shows that Singapore
is water self-sufficient.
Singapore has obviously over the years increased its water resources from two
original taps – local catchment from their 14 reservoirs and imported water from
Johor under the 1961 and 1962 Agreements – to five, which include treating waste
water, desalinating sea water and importing water from Indonesia. The 1962
Agreement which allows Singapore to draw water from the Johor River will only
expire in 2061.
But interestingly, after the Gunung Pulai, Skudai and Tebrau waterworks are
handed back to us when the 1961 Agreement expires next year, Johoreans will find
it more expensive to operate these facilities compared with buying treated water
from Singapore. Since 1961, the price has been 50 sen for every 1,000 gallons.
Singapore spends about RM2.50 to treat it.
All these go to show that Johoreans will be most affected whenever there is a
deterioration or improvement in our relations.
Sadly, we are more influenced by rivalry and pride whenever we deal with one
another, always forgetting that serious ramifications will follow as our peoples
are closely related in family ties.
For now, though, Johoreans can only hail this latest breakthrough as it will
bring long-term improvement to many ordinary lives on this side of the Causeway.
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