00:00Malaysia and Singapore have traditionally enjoyed very strong bilateral relations.
00:05With the onset of ASEAN 2025 and various developments in the Malaysia-Singapore environment,
00:13how do you think we can further strengthen this relationship?
00:16One of the highlights coming out from this recent retreat
00:19was the signing of the agreement on the Johor-Singapore Economic Zone.
00:23That was a highlight for many people.
00:25I think it's a good deal. I think the agreement is great.
00:28We now have an opportunity to grow the two economies together as one economic zone.
00:33Singapore's High Commissioner to Malaysia, Vanu Gopala Menon,
00:38is confident the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone will drive economic growth,
00:42not just for Singapore and Malaysia, but the entire ASEAN region.
00:46In an exclusive interview with FMT,
00:50Menon said the collaboration will deepen bilateral ties
00:53and allow both nations to grow their economies together.
00:57So there's plenty of prospects, I think, for taking the relationship forward.
01:02And I think what we will see is a strong Singapore-Malaysia relationship
01:07contributes as a solid foundation for the growth of ASEAN.
01:11Menon also said the agreement, linked between Malaysia and Singapore last week,
01:16underscored the enduring strength of the relations between the two nations.
01:21The two Prime Ministers get along very well.
01:24The relationship is on a very solid foundation, solid footing.
01:28And I think we want to be forward-leaning in trying to take the relationship forward.
01:33We really want to build on what we have achieved in the last 60 years.
01:37So I think there's plenty of room for further cooperation.
01:41The JSSEZ aims to create a seamless economic zone
01:45encompassing Johor's Iskandar region,
01:47Forest City, the Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex and Desaru.
01:52The initiative will target 100 projects over the next decade
01:56and is expected to generate 20,000 skilled jobs for Malaysians and Singaporeans.
02:01Hannah Kam, FMT News.
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