YANG di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah hopes that comprehensive and symbiotic relations between Malaysia and Singapore will continue to flourish for the benefit of both countries and the people.

The king said it was important for both countries to work together, cooperate and collaborate amid the changing global geopolitics, geo-economic and geo-strategic landscape.

“Similarly, as the founding members of Asean, Malaysia and Singapore should continue to collaborate with one another and with the rest of Asean, as well as with our preferred partners to ensure Southeast Asia will be a region of peace, stability and prosperity.”

Sultan Abdullah said this at a state banquet held at The Istana in Singapore today, in conjunction with the state visit by the Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah to the island republic.

Tunku Azizah was also present at the state banquet, which was also attended by Singapore President Halimah Yacob and her husband, Mohammed Abdullah Alhabshee.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong further said that Malaysia and Singapore also had a close, longstanding, deep-rooted and comprehensive relationship that continued to grow from strength to strength.

Sultan Abdullah said this could be seen through Malaysia-Singapore trade that increased to SG$128 billion (RM428.88 billion) last year despite the disruptions and limitations caused by Covid.

“I was informed that our trade might reach SG$150 billion this year. Our people-to-people ties are strong. Many Malaysians and Singaporeans have relatives and friends who live and study across the causeway.

“More than 300,000 Malaysians commute daily to work in Singapore and contribute to its development. Likewise, our cultural and heritage linkages are also strong,” said the king.

The royal couple arrived in the republic yesterday for a state visit, which ends on Friday.

The visit reflects the close bilateral ties between Malaysia and Singapore, established 57 years ago. – Bernama, October 26, 2022.