January 6, 2025
SINGAPORE – Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong will visit Putrajaya, Malaysia, on Jan 6 for the Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat with Malaysian Prime Minister and Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The annual meeting, in its 11th year, provides a key platform for leaders to set the overall direction for bilateral cooperation, and identify ways to improve connectivity to benefit Singaporeans and Malaysians, said the Prime Minister’s Office in a statement on Jan 5.
The PMO added that both sides will also “continue constructive efforts towards managing our outstanding bilateral issues, taking into account our abiding interdependencies and shared commitment to forward-looking ties”.
This year marks 60 years of diplomatic relations between both countries.
The retreat, hosted by Malaysia this time, will kick off with a dinner on Jan 6 hosted by Datuk Seri Anwar for PM Wong. The ministers of both countries will also engage their counterparts.
On Jan 7, PM Wong will attend an official welcome ceremony, followed by a meeting between both leaders and their delegations.
The PMO said both prime ministers will witness the exchange of several bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding across various domains.
They are also expected to witness a planned signing to formalise the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), Mr Anwar had told the Malaysian Senate in December when he announced the postponement of the Leader’s Retreat after PM Wong contracted Covid-19.
The retreat was initially scheduled for Dec 8 and 9.
The JS-SEZ, announced in October 2023 during the 10th leaders’ retreat held in Singapore, is meant to be an integrated zone for business and investment that will ease the movement of goods and people between both countries.
PM Wong will be accompanied by Mrs Wong and a delegation comprising Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam, Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for Health Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for National Development Desmond Lee, Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance Chee Hong Tat, and Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and National Development Sim Ann.
During PM Wong’s absence, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat will be the acting prime minister.
- Chin Soo Fang is senior correspondent at The Straits Times, covering topics such as community, politics, social issues, consumer, culture and heritage.