S’pore, KL ink details of land swop deal
By Teo Cheng Wee, The Straits Times, 28 Jun 2011.
PUTRAJAYA: A 20-year wrangle over Malayan railway land that had dogged ties between Singapore and Malaysia came to a close yesterday, after both sides put pen to paper and agreed on the implementation details of a landmark land swop.
Hailed as a deal that would take the relationship between the neighbours to a new level, the so-called Written Instrument was signed by Singapore Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam and Malaysia’s Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nor Mohamed Yakcop.
Indeed, among the major components of the deal is a rapid transit system (RTS) link that will allow for speedy commutes between Johor Baru and Singapore.
Source: The Straits Times
‘Nature corridor’ proposal for railway land
Nature Society’s idea incorporates cycling paths, recreational areas
By Jeremy Au Yong, Straits Times, 9 Oct 10.
THE Nature Society of Singapore is close to finishing a proposal to convert the 40km stretch of Malayan Railway land here into a green corridor.
It would contain cycling paths connecting different neighbourhoods to the town centre, and recreational spaces. It would also be home to many of Singapore’s native plants and animals.
The proposal seeks to preserve the railway tracks, which the society regards as an important part of Singapore’s history.
But some property analysts say the proposal will be a hard sell. And even if it is approved, a nature corridor can at best last for a decade or two. The railway corridor will inevitably be developed, for there are sound reasons to incorporate the land into development plans.
Source: Straits Times via Wildsingapore
Deal on KTM land swop
By Lydia Lim, Sep 20, 2010.
SINGAPORE and Malaysia have agreed on a revised land swop deal on the Malayan Railway land following breakthrough talks between the leaders of both countries on Monday.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak accepted offer by Singapore for four land parcels in Marina South and two pieces in Orphir-Rochor in exchange for three parcels of KTM land in Tanjong Pagar, Kranji and Woodlands, and three pieces in Bukit Timah.
M-S Pte Ltd, a 60-40 joint venture between Khazanah Nasional Bhd and Temasek Holding, will handle the six Singapore land land parcels for joint development when KTM vacates the Tanjong Pagar railway station to the Woodlands train checkpoint by July next year. Malaysia will also co-locate its railway Custom, Immigration and Quarantine (CIA) facilities to the Woodland checkpoint.
Source: Straits Times
