Remarks by President Tony Tan at the Reception for Singaporean Community in Kuala Lumpur

My Fellow Singaporeans

        I would first like to thank all of you for taking the time to attend this evening’s reception.  My wife, Mary, and I are delighted to be here.  We always appreciate the opportunity to meet overseas Singaporeans in such a gathering, which gives us good insights into your experiences away from home.  It is very apt that this gathering coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival, which celebrates the gathering of family and friends.

        Relations between Singapore and Malaysia are excellent.  At the foundation of our relations are historical, geographical and close people-to-people ties.  This is an integral part of what binds us together.  Not only do many Singaporeans have relatives and close friends who live across the Causeway but a large number, like you, are also living and working or studying here. 

        I understand from High Commissioner Ong Keng Yong that among you are corporate executives, entrepreneurs, students, and homemakers.  Each one of you is a representative of Singapore, in your own way.  You have played a role in explaining and introducing Singapore to acquaintances in Malaysia.  You have also rooted the bilateral relationship for the long term with friendships and kinships.

        Singapore and Malaysia share strong linkages at many different levels.  At the Government-to-Government level, our agencies interact regularly in a wide range of fields.  The leaders of both our countries work well together based on a relationship that is anchored on mutual trust and respect, and a shared vision of a future within the ASEAN Community.  Recent bilateral projects, such as the joint ventures in Singapore and Iskandar Malaysia, will pave the way for new growth opportunities for both countries.  The proposed High Speed Rail between KL and Singapore would also improve connectivity and promote deeper linkages. Most of all, I hope it would help bring you and your family home to Singapore more often!

        It is wonderful to see that the community of Singaporeans in KL continues to be as close-knit as ever.  I encourage you to maintain the strong network that you have built up among yourselves, and to look out for one another.  Please keep yourself updated on developments at home, and stay in contact with your families and friends.  With the likes of email, Facebook and Twitter available today, it is even easier to stay connected to Singapore.  I’m sure some of you would post pictures of today’s event on your Facebook pages.  If you do, I would be happy if you could “tag” me as well, so that I can share tonight’s happy memories with my friends and family back in Singapore!

        In networking, it is also important to stay in touch with the High Commission here in Kuala Lumpur, and our Consulate in Johor Bahru.  High Commissioner Ong and his team here are happy to keep in contact with fellow Singaporeans, to nurture and celebrate our sense of community.  This would also provide a helpful network for the High Commission to quickly communicate to you relevant announcements by the Singapore Government.  If nothing else, coming together to enjoy the delicious cuisine of home is a worthy cause.

        On that note, may I take this opportunity to once again thank you for coming to this reception, and to wish all of you great success in your endeavours.  Mary and I look forward to interacting with you and hearing your interesting stories and experiences in Malaysia.

        Thank you.