The Singapore delegation recently met with the sultan and Queen Saleha of Brunei at the Istana Nurul Iman. During the visit, Mr Wong expressed gratitude for the sultan’s support of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) training in Brunei and highlighted the deep cooperation between the two armed forces. He also emphasized the importance of the Currency Interchangeability Agreement, which has strengthened bilateral financial and economic cooperation since its establishment in 1967.
As the co-chair of the Singapore-Brunei Young Leaders’ Programme (YLP), Mr Wong discussed the upcoming 10th edition of the program with Crown Prince Billah. Both leaders recognized the value of platforms like the YLP in fostering closer relationships among younger leaders from both countries. Mr Wong had previously visited Brunei in January last year, shortly after becoming Deputy PM, and President Tharman Shanmugaratnam also made an official visit to Brunei earlier this year, highlighting the special relationship between the two nations.
Following the visit to Brunei, Mr Wong will travel to Malaysia for an introductory visit. During his time in Kuala Lumpur, he will be hosted to lunch by his counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, and will meet with Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Ministers – Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Fadillah Yusof. Accompanied by his wife, Dr Balakrishnan, and Ms Rahayu, Mr Wong’s visit to Malaysia underscores the continued efforts to strengthen ties and cooperation between Singapore and Malaysia.
Overall, the recent diplomatic engagements in Brunei and Malaysia highlight the ongoing commitment of Singapore to forge and deepen relationships with its neighboring countries. From discussions on military cooperation and economic ties to initiatives like the YLP that focus on developing future leaders, these visits underscore the importance of maintaining strong and collaborative partnerships in the region. As Mr Wong continues his travels to Malaysia, the focus remains on building on existing relationships and exploring new opportunities for cooperation and mutual benefit.
