TOKYO: Malaysia welcomes Japan's participation in the international bidding process for the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high speed rail project to be conducted in the near future, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak here today.
His counterpart Shinzo Abe had earlier expressed a wish that Japanese companies would be able to participate in the project while at the same time inviting Malaysia to leverage on Japan's technology and know-how in infrastructure developments.
Speaking at a joint press conference held after a bilateral meeting here, Najib said Abe also expressed a wish that Malaysia would adopt the Shinkansen system, stressing its cutting-edge technology and safety record.
"Particularly with regard to the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed railway project, I reiterated my expectation for Malaysia to adopt Japan's high-speed railway system, the Shinkansen," said Abe.
In 2013, Singapore and Malaysia agreed to build a high-speed rail link by 2020 that will cut travel time between Singapore and Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur to 90 minutes.
Apart from high-speed rail, Malaysia also welcomes collaboration between the private sectors of both countries in various infrastructure projects in Malaysia, including green technology, port equipment, water treatment projects and development along the Malaysia-Thai border, Najib said.
"I also shared with Abe that further focus will be synergised into these areas as it will contribute towards Malaysia's Vision 2020 as represented by the vertical thrusts in our 12 National Key Economic Areas," he said.
Both countries will continue to implement investment-friendly policies and introduce new competitive incentives to further stimulate economic activities especially by the private sector, said Najib.
During the meeting, the two prime ministers also discussed ways to strengthen the Look East Policy Second Wave (LEP 2.0)
"The next phase of LEP 2.0 will continue to enhance institutional cooperation in training and education with a stronger economic focus on elevating trade and investment potential in priority areas of both countries," Najib said, adding several early deliverables or projects/programmes covering education and research and development were discussed.
These included uplifting the role of the Malaysia Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) and enhancing business-to-business linkages/exchanges especially among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the food and automotive sectors.
On maritime safety and law enforcement, Najib stressed that Malaysia and Japan have established strong cooperation in capacity building and human resource development, while expressing Malaysia's gratitude to the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) for its contribution in enhancing the capacity of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).
"We look forward to deepening the cooperation between MMEA and JCG on human resource development in maritime security and maritime safety," he said.
On Malaysia's chairmanship of Asean in 2015, Najib stressed that Malaysia would work closely with the other Asean members in realising the Asean Community and the creation of a truly 'people-centred Asean'.
"We count on the support and cooperation from Japan towards achieving an Asean Community by 2015," he said.
Najib and Abe also agreed that issues concerning overlapping claims in the South China Sea should be addressed through peaceful means, including through dialogues and discussions among the countries concerned, without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Stressing that the meeting had been very fruitful and constructive, covering a wide range of bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest, Najib reiterated Malaysia's readiness to work closely with Japan to work towards a progressive and vibrant relationship.-- BERNAMA
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak (left) and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attends a press conference at Abe's official residence in Tokyo. AFP PHOTO
Source : http://www.nst.com.my/latest/najib-welcomes-japan-s-participation-in-kl-spore-high-speed-rail-link-1.602487
