MFA Press Release: Valedictory letters from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, Senior Minister and Co-ordinating Minister for National Security Prof S Jayakumar and DPM Wong Kan Seng to YABhg Tun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi

PM Lee Hsien Loong, SM Goh Chok Tong, MM Lee Kuan Yew, SM and Co-ordinating Minister for National Security Prof S Jayakumar and DPM Wong Kan Seng have sent the following valedictory letters to YABhg Tun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi

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Letter from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to YABhg Tun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi

3 April 2009

Dear Abdullah,

Please accept my best wishes as you relinquish your position as Prime Minister of Malaysia, and warmest congratulations on your conferment of the Seri Maharaja Mangku Negara award.

Throughout your political career and in your successive
appointments in Cabinet, you have worked tirelessly to bring progress to
Malaysia and to improve ties with neighbouring countries. You have made
significant contributions to Malaysia's economic and social development,
science and education, and foreign policy and defence. Your steady and
rational leadership throughout these years is a clear reflection of your strong
personal values and beliefs.

I appreciate having had the opportunity to work with you over the
last five years, and am grateful for all that you have done to improve our
bilateral relations. Under your leadership, both countries have made
significant progress in improving bilateral relations and advancing
cooperation in diverse fields. This includes the development of Iskandar
Malaysia, which will bear fruit for Malaysia in the years to come.

Ho Ching and I hope Tun Jeanne Abdullah and yourself will
continue to enjoy good health and happiness. Please let me know should
you decide to come to Singapore for a visit.

With all good wishes for the future,

Yours sincerely

(signed)
Lee Hsien Loong

P.S. Congratulations to you and your wife on your Tun-ships!

YABhg Tun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi
Member of Parliament for Kepala Batas

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Letter from Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong to YABhg Tun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi

3 April 2009

YABhg Tun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi
Member of Parliament for Kepala Batas
Malaysia

Dear Pak Lah,

Let me extend my best wishes as you hand over the mantle of leadership to your successor. You have dedicated much of your adult life in service to your country, the last 5 as Prime Minister. You have also initiated some important changes, the value of which will be seen in due course.

Both of us have done our part in strengthening relations between Malaysia and Singapore. I have always found you sincere in wanting better ties and am glad to have the chance to work with you. I am delighted that you had continued to do so with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. It is now up to Prime Minister Najib Razak and Prime Minister Lee to work together to bring Malaysia-Singapore relations to the next level.

My wife and I convey our best wishes to you and Tun Jeanne Abdullah. May both of you enjoy good health and much happiness always.

Yours sincerely

(signed)
GOH CHOK TONG

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Letter from Senior Minister and Co-ordinating Minister for National Security Prof S Jayakumar to YABhg Tun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi

3 April 2009

YABhg Tun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi
Member of Parliament for Kepala Batas

Dear Dollah,

Please accept my warmest wishes on your retirement from Cabinet
and congratulations on your conferment of the Seri Maharaja Mangku Negara
award. You have contributed enormously in service of Malaysia throughout
your long and illustrious political career.

It is no coincidence that Malaysia-Singapore relations have
improved markedly under your charge. You have left behind a firm
foundation for your successor to build on. I am confident that Prime Minister
Najib Razak and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will work closely together
to continue your good work in further strengthening the excellent relations
between our two countries.

Lalitha and I convey our best regards to Tun Jeanne Abdullah and
yourself for a happy and fulfilling retirement.

with warmest regards,

Yours sincerely

(signed)
S JAYAKUMAR

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Letter from Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng to YABhg Tun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi

3 April 2009

YABhg Tun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi
Member of Parliament for Kepala Batas

Dear Tun Abdullah

Congratulations on a smooth transition and a well-deserved break, and conferment of the Seri Maharaja Mangku Negara award. Having dedicated years of service to the country, it is now time to enjoy the fruits of your labour with your family and close friends.

I look forward to keeping in touch and to welcome you in Singapore, should the opportunity arise.

Yours sincerely

(signed)
WONG KAN SENG

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