NAVY chief Mohd Reza Mohd Sany, who is in Singapore for his three-day farewell visit, called on the republic’s Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen at the Parliament House this afternoon.

During their meeting, Ng thanked Reza for his contributions in maintaining strong ties between both countries’ naval forces, according to a statement by the republic’s Defence Ministry today.

“They also discussed the importance of keeping lines of communication open,” said the ministry.

Reza, who will be in the republic until tomorrow, also called on Singapore’s defence forces chief Melvyn Ong and navy chief Aaron Beng, after inspecting a Guard of Honour at the Singapore Defence Ministry this morning.

As part of his programme, Reza will visit RSS Singapura at Changi Naval Base tomorrow morning, where he will be hosted aboard Formidable-class frigate RSS Supreme.

Reza will also attend the opening ceremony of the 30th edition of Exercise Malapura, the flagship bilateral exercise between the Singapore and Malaysian naval forces, which will be conducted from tomorrow until November 14.

The Defence Ministry said Reza’s visit underscores the warm, long-standing bilateral defence relations between Singapore and Malaysia.

Singapore and Malaysia’s naval forces interact regularly through a wide range of activities, including exercises, visits and professional exchanges, cross-attendance of courses, and multilateral platforms such as the Five Power Defence Arrangements, as well as Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and ADMMPlus exercises, it said.

“(We) also work closely to enhance regional maritime security through the Malacca Straits Patrol.

“These interactions have strengthened mutual understanding and professional ties between the personnel of both navies,” said the ministry. – Bernama, November 3, 2022.