SINGAPORE: Malaysia has proposed a third bridge to link Malaysia and Singapore which the island republic is willing to discuss - a signal that leaders want to move bilateral relations forward and not be bogged down by problematic legacy issues.

Ministers from both sides of the Causeway have been given the task to look into the third link and joint iconic projects in Iskandar Malaysia.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who met with his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong here yesterday, said he proposed the bridge linking the eastern side of Johor, from Pengerang and Desaru, to Singapore in view of the increasing volume of movement between both countries.

The proposed bridge will be the third link between Malaysia and Singapore after the Causeway in Johor Baru and the Second Link in Tuas.

Najib, who is here on his first official visit as the Prime Minister, said both governments had to respond to increasing movement between their two countries.

"The objective is to facilitate movement of people, goods and services. So I brought up the possibility of having a new bridge on the eastern side because it is less developed and has huge potential.

"There is no great hurry, but let us commission a proper study to get viability (of the project)," he told a joint press conference at the Prime Minister's Office here.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Foreign Minister Datuk Anifah Aman, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, Inter- national Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Moha- med, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Nor Mohamed Yakcob and Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman.

Lee said he fully supported enhancing connectivity and movement.

"Najib suggested a longer term look at a new link on the eastern side because Malaysia is developing Pengerang and Desaru.

"This is something the joint ministerial committee can look into," Lee added.

Najib also said the proposed third bridge would not replace the Causeway.

Lee and Najib agreed that both countries should not be bogged down by the Points of Agreement signed by former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and former Finance Minister Tun Daim Zainuddin 18 years ago.

The two countries also said they might tweak their economic models in view of the global recession. Najib said Malaysia planned to emphasise "greater creativity, innovation and high-value" to spark economic growth. --The Star/Asia News Network

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