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

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan hosted Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah to the latter’s introductory visit from 30 to 31 July 2018. Dato’ Saifuddin called on President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on 30 July 2018, and called on Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean earlier today. Dato’ Saifuddin also had a meeting with Minister Balakrishnan on 30 July 2018, and this was followed by lunch hosted by Minister and Mrs Balakrishnan for Dato’ Saifuddin and his wife Datin Norlin Shamsul Bahri.

During the visit, both sides reaffirmed our commitment to work closely together to build on our strong bilateral relations for mutual benefit. Discussions covered a range of regional developments and bilateral issues, including the KL-Singapore High Speed Rail and the 1962 Water Agreement. Singapore’s leaders emphasised the importance of abiding strictly by the agreements and contracts related to these matters, whilst exploring potential new areas of collaboration.

Singapore has been clear and consistent in our position that Malaysia lost its right to review the price of water under the 1962 Water Agreement in 1987. This position was most recently set out in Minister Balakrishnan’s Parliamentary remarks on 9 July 2018, which can be accessed here: https://www.mfa.gov.sg/newsroom/press-statements-transcripts-and-photos/parliamentary-question-09-jul-2018.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

31 JULY 2018