Singapore, Malaysia have issues to work through but bonds 'go deeper' than economic cooperation: President Tharman

SINGAPORE: Like all neighbours, Singapore and Malaysia have "issues to work through", but these should not be allowed to "alter the vitality" of the relationship between the two countries, said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Monday (May 6). 

Speaking at a state banquet hosted at the Istana in honour of Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, who is on a two-day state visit to Singapore, Mr Tharman said: "We should continue to find mutually beneficial and sustainable ways to move forward on these issues while focusing on our many positive and new areas of cooperation." 

Rising to speak after Mr Tharman, Sultan Ibrahim expressed his thanks to outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who has been "a close friend" of Johor and Malaysia. He recalled being lectured by the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew on many topics, and shared that he also knew PM Lee's late grandfather personally. 

"His dedicated foresight has steered Malaysia and Singapore towards closer cooperation and building a better future," Sultan Ibrahim continued. 

In a Facebook post, Mr Lee said he was glad to have met Sultan Ibrahim earlier on Monday before recalling how May 6 was a "special date" for both of them. 

"On this day two years ago, Sultan Ibrahim conferred on me the Dato’ Sri Paduka Mahkota Johor, Johor's highest honour," he added.

Mr Lee also touched on the "close friendship" between Singapore and Malaysia, which he said is underpinned by historical ties and strong relationships between both governments and businesses on both sides of the Causeway.

This is the last major visit with Mr Lee as Prime Minister. This is also Sultan Ibrahim's first visit to Singapore since he became king of Malaysia in January. He last visited Singapore in 2022 as Sultan of Johor. 

Sultan Ibrahim congratulated Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who will become Singapore's Prime Minister on May 15. 

"I have every confidence that his esteemed leadership will further strengthen ties between the two nations," he added. 

Before the state banquet, Mr Tharman and Sultan Ibrahim unveiled designs for four stamps that will be jointly issued by SingPost and Post Malaysia to mark the centennial anniversary of the Causeway.

"They are timely reminders of how this busiest land crossing in the world is not just a physical connection between our two countries, but a symbol of the permanent bonds that exist between us," said Mr Tharman. 

Singapore and Malaysia will also celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year, he noted. 

Through the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, the two countries aim to explore ways to enhance cross-border connectivity, strengthen the development of human resources and drive cooperation in key growth sectors like renewable energy, said Mr Tharman. 

"In doing so, we hope to strengthen the broader economic interlinkages between Singapore and Malaysia for our benefit."

But the bonds between the two countries "go deeper than economic cooperation", he added, stressing that the shared cultural heritage should be "celebrated and renewed". 

"Whether through educational, sporting or artistic exchanges, or tourism in all its flavours, it is important that we keep up our people-to-people exchanges, and ensure that younger Singaporeans and Malaysians grow up with the familiarity, appreciation and good understanding of each other," said Mr Tharman. 

The completion of the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System by the end of 2026 should further boost these relationships, he added. 

It is also "critical" that Singapore and Malaysia strengthen their partnership as founding members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), amid a world of growing great power rivalries and the erosion of the rules-based international order, said Mr Tharman. 

"As Malaysia prepares to take on the ASEAN chairmanship next year, I'm confident that our two countries will continue to work well together to maintain ASEAN's unity, centrality and relevance." 

In a Facebook post on Monday evening, Mr Tharman also said he was happy to have welcomed Sultan Ibrahim at the Istana.

He noted that this was the king's first overseas state visit since taking up office earlier this year, underscoring the "close and longstanding ties that Singapore and Malaysia share at all levels".

He also listed some of the dishes served at the state banquet, such as rojak and laksa, which reflected "our shared heritage".

He then joked about the dessert that was served - ondeh-ondeh with gula melaka filling and coconut ice-cream - and named "Harmony across the Straits".

 "What’s a bit of manis (sweet in Malay) between friends?" he said.