SINGAPORE: When it comes to Johor-Singapore ties, this is how Foreign Minister of Singapore Vivian Balakrishnan sees it – a married couple who divorced yet still share the same room — it’s complicated.

“Our political paths have diverged, but we remain permanent neighbours,” he said.

Balakrishnan stressed that Singapore and Johor can never be fully separated — not physically, economically nor culturally.

 “We have relatives on both sides of the Causeway. Our futures are intertwined. It is a complex, essential and critical relationship.”

Given the closeness of the two sides, issues will inevitably arise from time to time, he said, whether in physical terms, emotionally, politically, culturally, or even family ties.

“I’m sure all of you here have relatives across the border — I certainly have relatives in Malaysia,” he said.

Balakrishnan was responding to Sin Chew Daily during the “17th Malaysian Journalists Visit Programme” organised by Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information.

On Singapore’s ties with East Malaysia, Balakrishnan said he was pleased with the establishment of the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (STATOS).

 Singapore has proposed to Kuala Lumpur the setting-up of consulates in both Sabah and Sarawak to promote people-to-people links, interactions, as well as the flow of investment and trade between Singapore and East Malaysia.

“We are waiting for approval from Kuala Lumpur,” he said.

The long-standing water agreements between the two countries also came up during the dialogue.

 When asked whether discussions had begun on the agreement due to expire in 2061, Balakrishnan said talks have been ongoing, with the latest round held just last week.

“We used to have two agreements — one signed in 1961 and another in 1962. The 1961 agreement has expired. In 2011, I handed the water plant back to His Majesty — you can find the photos — and we allowed that agreement to lapse.

“ So now only the 1962 agreement remains. It has a 99-year tenure and expires in 2061. That is where we are now.”

The Kuala Lumpur–Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) was another topic raised.

Asked if Singapore is open to revisiting the project, Balakrishnan said: “The project was originally proposed by then-prime minister Najib.

“We agreed, we signed, we even cleared a golf course and carried out infrastructure changes.

“We spent money preparing. Later, Kuala Lumpur changed its mind, and we accepted that. That chapter ended.”

However, he added that Singapore would consider any new proposals or fresh perspectives.

 “We remain open,” Balakrishnan said. 

During this visit, the Malaysian delegation met four Singapore ministers: Balakrishnan; Minister for Social Policies Coordination and Health Minister Ong Ye Kung; Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo; and Acting Minister for Muslim Affairs and Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Faishal Ibrahim.