SINGAPORE: Malaysia's Foreign Minister Rais Yatim is in Singapore for an introductory visit. He was met at the airport by Foreign Minister George Yeo on Thursday.

Dr Rais then proceeded to call on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana. Mr Lee was in Malaysia in May last year when both he and Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi announced a joint ministerial committee to spearhead the Iskandar Malaysia project in Johor.

Singapore is Dr Rais' first stop. It has been a tradition amongst ASEAN's new foreign ministers to make introductory visits to member countries upon assuming office.

Dr Rais was appointed the new foreign minister after the March 8 general elections in Malaysia. - CNA/ir

• Malaysia's DPM Najib rejects defections claim • Resurgent Anwar piles pressure on Malaysia PM • Malaysian PM rejects pressure to unveil exit plan • Malaysian PM drops trade minister in new slimline cabinet