1540 HRS MAY 25TH 2007

Now this is exciting

my imagination.

Malaysia and Singapore

are planning to cooperate

in building

the Iskandar Development Region

in Johore.

The area will be

3 times the size

of Singapore.

This is one time,

the two countries

will be working together

for mutual benefit.

Malaysia needs our

capital, expertise and technology.

Singapore needs

cheap abundant hinterland,

and human resources

to move the manufacturing sector.

I have seen how

Shenzhen benefitted

both China and Hong Kong.

In this age of globalisation,

when all manufacturing jobs

go to China,

and all outsourced services jobs

go to India,

both Singapore and Malaysia,

have to work together,

be competitive and relevant

or die a natural death.

More importantly,

just as Shenzhen

spelt the death

of communism in China,

Iskandar Development Region,

should spell the death

of bumiputra policy in Malaysia.

Politically,

with equally vested interests

in such a huge area,

bilateral ties between

Singapore and Malaysia,

can only get better.

We're stuck together

for better or worse.

Pertinent issues

like water supply,

West Malaysian CPF withdrawals,

Customs, Immigration, Quarantine (CIQ)

will look like tiny minor problems,

in the face of a region,

whose economy

can potentially be bigger

than Bangkok or Jakarta.

Of course,

a grand vision

that can potentially change

the socio-economic lives

of two countries,

came from PM Badawi,

and not our millionaire ministers.

All our guys can come up with

are building two casinos.

Malaysia is still

a nett commodity exporter,

which will make them

politically and eonomically

aligned with China,

the next economic superpower.

Because of Malaysia's Islamic roots,

it will also align itself

with the Arab world,

Shariah compliant financing

cannot come easier.

I read that,

they will build Danga Bay,

a massive waterfront

housing project

in conjuction with

Iskandar Development Region.

Danga Bay gives me incentive

to marry a Malaysian chick,

Malaysian property,

Malaysian ringgit,

cannot go wrong from here.