S'pore to work closely with M'sia in support of its 2025 Asean chair role

Singapore is ready to work closely with Malaysia in support of the latter’s Asean chair role next year.

Singapore’s Foreign Ministry said this was conveyed by Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan to his Malaysian counterpart Mohamad Hasan, who was in the republic for a two-day official visit since Monday.

“They also discussed ways to strengthen Asean centrality and ensure Southeast Asia remains a bright spot globally,” Singapore’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement yesterday.

During the discussions, both ministers also underscored the importance of continuing close cooperation to deliver mutual benefit for the peoples of the two countries.

This included enhancing economic cooperation and connectivity through initiatives like the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone while addressing bilateral issues constructively.

“They agreed that both sides should continue to make progress on these issues ahead of the 11th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat in Malaysia later this year,” the ministry said.

Mohamad (above, left) also called on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, and Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong earlier yesterday.

All three Singapore leaders reaffirmed the robust partnership and historic people-to-people ties between Singapore and Malaysia.

Both sides also 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.

Wong, who is also the finance minister, expressed his appreciation of Malaysian Prime Minister and Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s invitation for him to make an early introductory visit to Malaysia.

This is Mohamad’s first official visit to the republic as foreign minister. He left Singapore yesterday.

- Bernama

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