Remarks by President Halimah Yacob at the Reception for Overseas Singaporeans in Kuala Lumpur

Dr Maliki Osman, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Education and Foreign Affairs

Ms Low Yen Ling, Minister of State for Trade & Industry and Culture, Community, and Youth

High Commissioner Vanu Gopala Menon

Members of Parliament 

Fellow Singaporeans,

Good evening. I am very happy to see so many of you here even though it is a Monday. When I visited Malaysia in my capacity as Chancellor of the National University of Singapore for the University of Malaya-NUS Inter-University Tunku Chancellor Golf Tournament in September 2018, I had attended a similar reception where I met many Singaporeans from all walks of life. After the long and trying years of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am glad that we can once again gather like this and look forward to interacting with you.

I am delighted to make my State Visit to Malaysia at the invitation of His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia. My visit reciprocates the Agong’s State Visit to Singapore just five months ago in October 2022, and follows those of my predecessors, the late President S R Nathan in 2005 and former President Dr Tony Tan in 2013. These visits reflect our close and substantive relationship over the years as well as our continued commitment to strengthen ties at the highest level.

Earlier this afternoon, I attended a tea reception hosted by the Kuala Lumpur Business Club with a group of Singaporean and Malaysian business leaders. I was pleased to learn of the many exciting projects which companies from both countries are pursuing which would deepen our already strong economic links. I was also impressed by the “can do” spirit of our businesses in driving innovations in new and emerging areas of partnership like cybersecurity and the digital and green economies. Our trade chambers are also working closely together to tap onto growth opportunities in Southeast Asia. For example, the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia signed an MOU in January to facilitate knowledge exchange and pursue cooperation opportunities in the environment and sustainability.

When I was at the session with business representatives from Singapore and Malaysia, Dato’ Rohana, the Director of the Kuala Lumpur Business Club, mentioned several points which I thought were very pertinent. She said that Malaysia and Singapore are like family and that we are economically interdependent and should look for ways to collaborate and grow together. Those words resonated with me – our countries have many linkages and stronger economic ties is one way of strengthening this family relationship.

Economic interdependence and partnership will remain a fundamental component of strong Singapore-Malaysia relations. Our two economies must work closely together to promote sustainable development, spur technological breakthroughs, and create good jobs for our peoples. That we remain Malaysia’s largest foreign investor in terms of stock investments over the years and each other’s second largest trading partners speak volumes about our symbiotic, win-win economic relationship.

Yet, as many of you know, the connection between our two countries goes far beyond dollars and cents. At the heart of our unique relationship is the strong people-to-people linkages rooted in kinship, friendship, and a shared heritage. For example, alongside Brunei, Indonesia, and Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia are working together to jointly nominate kebaya – which I see some of you wearing tonight – onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This would mark Singapore’s first multinational nomination, and the first multinational nomination involving all five countries.

To ensure that our special bonds endure to the next generation, we continue to promote vibrant educational exchanges at all levels. I am very glad that after the COVID-19 disruptions, our schools are earnestly resuming exchanges with their Malaysian counterparts to promote better mutual understanding among our youths, such as when 41 Junior College Malay Language Elective Programme students attended the Universiti Putra Malaysia last year to deepen their appreciation of Malay heritage and civilisation.

Beyond exchanges with schools in Kuala Lumpur, we could also consider doing exchanges with schools in other states. Many of these states are unique in their own ways and it would be useful for our youths to engage and build linkages with students in different states. I hope that more will pursue these opportunities when the occasion arises in the course of your stay here. 

Of course, between close neighbours, differences could sometimes arise. However, a strong reservoir of trust and familiarity has helped both sides navigate such issues calmly and pragmatically. As Singaporeans who live, work, and study here, you are also our ambassadors who play an important role to help Malaysians understand what we stand for and who we are. I am heartened to learn that there is a strong sense of camaraderie among Singaporeans living in Malaysia. If there is anything which the pandemic has taught us, it is the central importance of looking out for each other.

At the same time, as you pursue your dreams overseas, I hope you remain connected with Singapore and your loved ones back home. As the 4G team progressively assumes responsibility for Singapore, there will be many opportunities for Singaporeans to shape the next bound of the Singapore Story. One such platform is the Forward Singapore initiative launched by Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and his team last year. I urge you to contribute your unique perspectives and remain plugged in with developments at home as we strive to make our Little Red Dot a more endearing and inclusive home for all.

In closing, I wish you all the best in your endeavours in Malaysia and trust that each one of you will continue to fly the Singapore flag high. I look forward to interacting with you and your families to learn more about your experiences in Malaysia.

Let me also wish all Muslims here today a fulfilling Ramadan as we approach the blessed month. Thank you.