Strengthening Ties with Southeast Asian Neighbors
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will embark on his first official international visit since taking office in May 2024, traveling to Brunei and Malaysia from June 11 to 12. These visits will mark the beginning of his series of introductory trips to Southeast Asian capitals, a tradition followed by his predecessors. Former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s first official overseas visits were also to Brunei and Malaysia in 2004.
In Brunei, PM Wong will be hosted by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and will be accompanied by his wife and several senior ministers, including Vivian Balakrishnan (Minister for Foreign Affairs), Grace Fu (Minister for Sustainability and the Environment), Desmond Lee (Minister for National Development), and Rahayu Mahzam (Minister of State for Communications and Information). The delegation will meet the Sultan and his wife, Raja Isteri Saleha, as well as Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah and Princess Sarah. The official visit will include a royal audience and an official lunch hosted by the Sultan.
PM Wong will then travel to Kuala Lumpur on the evening of June 11, where he is scheduled to meet Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and other key officials. This visit reflects Singapore’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic and economic ties with its neighbors.
During PM Wong’s absence, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong will serve as acting prime minister.
