MFA Press Statement: Official Visit of His Excellency Dato' Saifuddin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, 30 to 31 July 2018

His Excellency Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, is in Singapore for an official visit. This is his first official visit to Singapore since his appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs on 2 July 2018.

Dato’ Saifuddin called on President Halimah Yacob and on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong this afternoon. During the calls, President Halimah and Prime Minister Lee expressed Singapore’s commitment to work with the new Malaysian Government to strengthen bilateral relations. Both sides reaffirmed the longstanding, extensive and mutually-beneficial cooperation between Singapore and Malaysia, and looked forward to the continuing exchanges between Ministers and officials on both sides.

Earlier today, Dato’ Saifuddin had a meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan. Minister Balakrishnan and Mrs Balakrishnan also hosted Dato’ Saifuddin, his wife Datin Norlin Shamsul Bahri, and his delegation to lunch. Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Maliki Bin Osman was also present at the meeting and lunch. Minister Balakrishnan and Dato’ Saifuddin reaffirmed our strong bilateral relationship and discussed new ways to expand bilateral cooperation. They also exchanged views on developments in ASEAN and the region, as well as the importance of encouraging more inter-faith dialogue and understanding. Dato’ Saifuddin expressed Malaysia’s support for Singapore’s Chairmanship of ASEAN.

Dato’ Saifuddin will call on Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean on 31 July 2018.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

30 JULY 2018