Singapore prime minister Lawrence Wong said he was pleased that Malaysia had formally approved Singapore’s proposal to open consulates in Sabah and Sarawak.
“This move will allow Singapore to provide consular services to Singaporeans there and deepen the already robust ties between our peoples,” he said at a joint press conference in Singapore with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Wong noted that both countries have continued to strengthen cultural and community ties, highlighting successes such as their joint bid to add the kebaya to Unesco’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
He also noted that Singapore and Malaysia had jointly submitted a nomination to inscribe the Chingay parade onto the Unesco list, with the outcome expected to be announced by the end of 2026.
Wong said Malaysia and Singapore continue to enjoy candid and constructive ties, describing their engagement as one in which both sides “focus on what we can achieve together as close neighbours, good friends, and for the benefit of both our peoples.”
He said Malaysia’s cooperation and goodwill had kept ties positive even as both countries continue to negotiate complex matters such as airspace, water, and maritime boundaries.
“These will be pursued in a constructive spirit and with mutual respect,” he said, stressing that disagreements should not colour or undermine overall cooperation.
Anwar is in Singapore for a one-day working visit to attend the 12th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat, which serves as the highest-level mechanism for both countries to discuss bilateral cooperation as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern.
This year also marks 60 years of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Singapore.
SEZ helps Johor surpass Penang in investments
Separately, Anwar said the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) enabled Johor to surpass Penang in terms of new investments this year, with some RM91.1 billion in approved investments secured as of September.
Anwar hailed the economic zone as an unprecedented success, and said the gains were only possible because of the trust and close friendship underpinning Malaysia’s cooperation with Singapore.
Wong said Singapore-based firms, in particular, had committed over S$5.5 billion in investments, or about RM17.45 billion, in the SEZ since early 2024.
The Singaporean prime minister believed SEZ had greater potential, especially with improved connectivity through the Johor-Bahru Singapore Rapid Transit System Link which is expected to be operational in 2027.
On energy cooperation, Wong said there was good momentum in the energy partnership between the two nations, citing the city-state’s approval to import low-carbon electricity from Sarawak.