29-5-2024 (SINGAPORE) In a move signaling the importance of strengthening ties with its closest neighbor, Singapore’s newly appointed Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is planning an early visit to Kuala Lumpur as part of a series of introductory trips to ASEAN capitals.
This announcement comes on the heels of PM Wong’s meeting with Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan on May 28, where both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to fostering closer relations between the two nations.
Following PM Wong’s swearing-in as Singapore’s fourth prime minister on May 15, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim extended an invitation for him to visit Kuala Lumpur ahead of the annual Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat. PM Wong has happily accepted this invitation, underscoring the significance of this early diplomatic exchange.
In a Facebook post, PM Wong expressed Singapore’s eagerness to collaborate closely with Malaysia, which will assume the ASEAN chairmanship in 2025, to advance the agenda for regional cooperation.
During their meeting at the Istana, PM Wong and Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan reaffirmed their commitment to “grow the win-win partnership” between the two countries, according to the Singaporean leader.
Mohamad, who arrived in Singapore on May 27 for a two-day visit, also called on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana, as stated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in a statement.
“Both sides reiterated their strong commitment to continue the high-level exchanges, and to working together both bilaterally and within ASEAN amid a more uncertain geopolitical environment,” the statement added.
The MFA further revealed that the Malaysian Foreign Minister met with his Singaporean counterpart, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, and both ministers “underscored the importance of continuing close cooperation to deliver mutual benefit for our peoples.”
This includes enhancing economic cooperation and connectivity through initiatives such as the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, while constructively addressing bilateral issues.
The ministers agreed that both sides should continue to make progress on these issues ahead of the 11th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat in Malaysia later in 2024, according to the MFA.
Additionally, the ministers discussed ways to strengthen ASEAN centrality and ensure that Southeast Asia remains a global bright spot. Dr. Balakrishnan also conveyed Singapore’s readiness to work closely with Malaysia in support of the latter’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2025.
