MALAYSIA and Singapore are refining efforts towards strengthening defence co-operation, Minister of Defence Hishammuddin Hussein said today.

In a statement, Hishammuddin said that the move was the result of a bilateral meeting with his counterpart, Ng Eng Hen.

“Apart from which, Ng and I also discussed a number of regional and international security issues that are of common concern,” he said, adding that that the meeting was held in conjunction with his three-day working visit to Singapore to attend the Shangri-La Dialogue organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Hishammuddin said he also held meetings with President Halimah Yacob, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Co-ordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean and Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam.

“I am happy to report that the meeting with the leaders took place in a very friendly and harmonious atmosphere, and highlighted the close and special relationship between Malaysia and Singapore that has been established for decades,” he said.

Hishammuddin also said that while in Singapore, he also met with leaders from countries including the United States, Australia and China.

“It also opens up space for us to exchange views on many global security issues as well as share our commitment to bring defence diplomacy between our respective countries to a higher level,” he said. – Bernama, June 12, 2022.