M'sia, S'pore PMs commit to tackling outstanding bilateral issues in Anwar's first official trip to Republic
SINGAPORE — Both Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Monday (Jan 30) expressed a shared commitment to tackle outstanding bilateral issues and to work together for the benefit of both nations in Mr Anwar's first official trip to Singapore since he took office.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (right) and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the Istana on Jan 30, 2023.
- Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim made a one-day official visit to Singapore on Jan 30
- He called on President Halimah Yacob and met with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
- Mr Lee and Mr Anwar said they were committed to tackling bilateral issues for the benefit of the people
- Acknowledging there were outstanding issues between both countries, Mr Anwar said he hoped to work with Singapore on issues related to food security, as well as trade, investment and security
- Three new bilateral agreements to foster closer collaboration in green and digital economies as well as cyber security were signed during the visit
SINGAPORE — Both Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Monday (Jan 30) expressed a shared commitment to tackle outstanding bilateral issues and to work together for the benefit of both nations in Mr Anwar's first official trip to Singapore since he took office.
Speaking during a lunch hosted for Mr Anwar at the Istana, Mr Lee said that as close friends and neighbours, both countries' destinies are "intertwined".
"When we work constructively together, we produce win-win outcomes with tangible benefits for our peoples and businesses," Mr Lee said.
He added that he was confident that bilateral relations between both countries could reach "greater heights" with the support of Mr Anwar, who was sworn in as Malaysia's prime minister following his country's polls last November.
Similarly, Mr Anwar, who is also Malaysia's finance minister, said that "no (bilateral) issue should be left unresolved", even as he acknowledged that there are contentious and outstanding issues between both sides.
Some examples of bilateral issues that Mr Anwar said both sides could move forward on were that of food security, traffic congestion across the Causeway, Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) project and Singapore's management of civilian air traffic.
During his visit, Mr Anwar attended an official welcome ceremony at the Istana, following which he called on President Halimah Yacob and met with Mr Lee.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Monday that Mr Lee and Mr Anwar welcomed the reopening of borders and increasing connectivity between the two countries.
They also agreed on the importance of working together to deepen ties in mutually beneficial areas, as well as addressing bilateral issues in a constructive manner, the ministry added.
Mr Lee also hosted an official lunch for Mr Anwar.
An orchid hybrid was named in honour of Mr Anwar and his wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. The orchid, which has velvet purple petals, is named Dendrobium Anwar Azizah.
Mr Lee said that both countries had deepened cooperation in almost every domain over the years, and also worked together during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said he was happy that both sides continue to work closely to advance bilateral relations for mutual benefit.
Referring to their meeting earlier in the day, Mr Lee said that he and Mr Anwar had a "fruitful discussion" on how to make progress on outstanding bilateral issues, for instance.
The two leaders also witnessed the signing of three agreements that will promote cooperation in digital and green economies, as well as cybersecurity.
SINGAPORE, MALAYSIA INKED THREE AGREEMENTS
Safe and secure cross-border electronic payments as well as carbon credit projects between companies from Singapore and Malaysia are on the cards following the signing of three agreements between the two countries on Monday (Jan 30).
The signing of the agreements was witnessed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
1. Framework of cooperation in digital economy
Among other things, it will allow businesses to transact online and across borders more easily. Such transactions may cover data related to administration documents, for example.
Under the framework, both sides will also collaborate on developing safe, efficient and secure cross-border e-payment systems.
2. Framework of cooperation in green economy
Both countries will look to improve collaboration in decarbonising their industries.
Under the framework, both countries will explore collaborating on electric vehicle charging standards and the deployment of charging points for electric vehicles.
They will also exchange information on low-carbon solutions, particularly in hydrogen and carbon capture, utilisation and storage.
3. Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of personal data protection, cybersecurity and digital economy
This Memorandum of Understanding will allow Singapore’s Ministry of Communications and Malaysia’s Ministry of Communications and Digital to promote cooperation in the fields of personal data protection, cybersecurity and digital economy.
It will facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices in areas such as data protection policies and cross-border data flows.
Mr Lee said that he looked forward to meeting Mr Anwar again soon, noting that the latter is expected to visit Singapore again later this year for the annual Leaders' Retreat between both countries.
Speaking during the lunch, Mr Anwar described Mr Lee as a "dear friend" with whom he has worked together for decades.
He had "substantive discussions" with Mr Lee during the meeting earlier, and said that they were "not normal diplomatic initiatives". Mr Anwar did not elaborate on what issues were discussed.
"We should try and do our utmost to enhance these relations, and work together for the benefit of both countries," Mr Anwar added.
Beyond the areas of cooperation raised in three new agreements signed on Monday, as well as other issues related to trade, investment and security, Mr Anwar said that both sides could work on food security as well.
"This is an area, I think, we would solicit the support of Singapore to use Malaysia as its heartland to produce for the benefit of Malaysia and Singapore."
Other matters were those relating to the Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS project, which is due to be completed in 2026, and traffic congestion across the Causeway.
Mr Anwar reiterated that these collaborations would be for the benefit of the people.
After their speeches, Mr Anwar and Mr Lee, as well as their respective delegations, tossed yusheng (raw fish salad), a Chinese New Year tradition, before continuing with the official lunch.
Mr Anwar will return to Malaysia on Monday evening.
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