Massive Malaysian reclamation project alarms MFA

Transboundary impact feared over 2000-ha development.

The Ministry of Foreign affairs has aired its concerns over a massive Malaysian reclamation project planned in the Johor Straits, the MFA said on Saturday.

The 2000-ha development, dubbed as “Forest City” and developed jointly by China’s Country Garden Holdings Co Ltd and Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor (KPRJ), will be located near Singapore in the Straits of Johor. 

“Given Johor’s close proximity to Singapore, we are naturally concerned about any possible transboundary impact on Singapore from property development projects that involve reclamation works in the Straits of Johor,” stated the MFA.

The ministry also stressed that there are international obligations for both Malaysia and Singapore authorities to work closely on such matters.

“We have asked the Malaysian authorities to provide more information so that we can undertake a study as soon as possible on the impacts of these reclamation works on Singapore and the Straits. They have agreed to do so and we hope to receive the information soon,” noted an MFA spokesman.