Strengthening Bilateral Ties Through Cooperation and Dialogue
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is in Singapore for a two-day visit from October 29 to attend the Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat. This event, hosted annually, is a key platform for the leaders of both countries to discuss bilateral issues and explore new avenues of cooperation. This marks the 10th such retreat since its inception in 2007, although it was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the last one held in Malaysia in April 2019.
Anwar is attending the retreat for the first time since becoming Malaysia’s 10th Prime Minister in November 2022. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes prominent ministers and leaders from various sectors. During his visit, Anwar will meet with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and engage in bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
The retreat provides an opportunity for the two countries to further strengthen their economic and diplomatic ties. Singapore and Malaysia are key trading partners, with trade between them growing significantly in recent years, surpassing S$30 billion in 2021 and 2022—a nearly 40% increase. The leaders are expected to sign several bilateral agreements to enhance cooperation in various sectors, including the digital economy, green economy, and cybersecurity.
