SINGAPORE: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's official visit to the republic reflects the importance and strength of the relationship between Malaysia and Singapore.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the visit, Anwar's first since being sworn in as Malaysia's 10th prime minister on Nov 24 last year, would help raise Malaysia's profile at an international stage.
On Monday, Anwar will have a face-to-face meeting with his counterpart Lee Hsien Loong at Istana Singapura on a wide range of issues.
They will include connectivity, water as well as trade and investment in various fields.
When speaking at a press briefing for the Malaysian media here today, Zambry said the prime minister would also meet other Singaporean leaders including president Halimah Yacob.
Anwar and Lee will also witness memoranda of understanding to promote cyber data security as well as digital and green economy.
The prime minister, who is accompanied by his wife Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, will then meet the Malaysian diaspora in Singapore.
"As close and immediate neighbours as well as partners in Asean, Malaysia and Singapore continue to work to deepen their cooperation.
"Based on geographical proximity, with the many benefits and some challenges, this relationship is bound by our shared history, cultural similarities and people-to-people ties, including family ties," Zambry said.
He said connectivity particularly the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail and Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System; water and trade were among the issues which will be discussed by both leaders.
"We have issues that require us to continue to engage among ourselves. They are not complex but straightforward issues, including boundaries and the demarcation of our boundaries," he added.
Singapore is Malaysia's second largest trading partner, and both are looking to bolster trade figures and cooperation, and remove barriers.
Singapore accounts for Malaysia's largest value of exports among Asean nations at RM232.57 billion in 2022, and was the latter's second biggest source of imports after China.
This will be Anwar's third official visit since taking office, after trips to Indonesia on Jan 8-9 and Brunei on Jan 24-25.
Besides Zambry, Anwar will be joined by Transport Minister Anthony Loke, International Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi are also part of the prime minister's official visit.
