KUALA LUMPUR, 20 AUGUST – Singapore encouraged Malaysia to work together on emerging areas like sustainability, climate change and digital economy.
Its High Commissioner to Malaysia Vanu Gopala Menon said this would augur well towards strengthening existing areas of cooperation between the two nations which shared and faced many common challenges.
“Beyond strengthening existing areas of cooperation, the two nations should work together on such emerging areas.
“The memoranda of understanding signed on digital economy, green economy and cybersecurity during Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s January visit to Singapore are a positive start.
“Singapore is also keen to contribute to Malaysia’s conservation efforts, and an MoU was signed between NParks and the Pahang Biodiversity Council on Cooperation in Flora and Wildlife Conservation in June this year.
“Such cooperation and interactions between our communities in Singapore and Malaysia are only made possible by our strong land, air, and sea connections,” he said at Singapore’s 58th National Day reception at the Shangri-La Hotel in Jalan Sultan Ismail.
Guest-of-honour present was Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
Menon said that Singapore and Malaysian agencies had been working together to improve people-to-people flows between their countries, including expediting the immigration processes at the Johor-Singapore checkpoints.
“There has also been good progress on the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, which is due to be completed in 2026,” said Menon.
He added that the reception was a celebration of the shared heritage and intertwined destinies of the neighbours.
Menon made known how Singapore President Halimah Yacob had revealed during her state visit to Kuala Lumpur in March, what Singapore and Malaysia could achieve together.
“She said we were only limited by our imagination and political will.
“My wish for this National Day is for Singaporeans and Malaysians to continue to find opportunities to interact, collaborate and learn from one another, as we work together (bekerja bersama-sama) towards our dreams of a better future.
Themed ‘Bersama’ (Together)”, the reception focused on partnering charities and social enterprises like the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore; Women of Will, a social enterprise in Malaysia that empowers women from low-income families to establish their food businesses; and Art:Dis, an organisation in Singapore that empowers persons with disabilities through the arts. – airtimes.my
