MFA Press Statement: Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed represents Singapore at the Send-Off Ceremony for “The Jewel Of Muscat”, Oman, 16 February 2010

Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed represented Singapore at the Send-off Ceremony of the "Jewel of Muscat" in Oman on 16 February 2010.

The ship is a replica of an ancient Arabian dhow that sailed between East Asia and the gulf region. Named the "Jewel of Muscat" by the Sultan of Oman, it is a gift from the Sultan to the people of Singapore. At a traditional maritime Send-Off Ceremony today, the "Jewel of Muscat" set sail on its historic voyage from Sultan Qaboos Port, Muscat to Singapore. The dhow is expected to make port calls at Cochin (India), Galle (Sri Lanka), Penang and Malacca (Malaysia), before arriving in Singapore some time in July 2010.

Among the sailors on the dhow is Singapore Foreign Service Officer Jeff Khoo.

In his remarks at the Send-Off Ceremony, the Omani Guest of Honour His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said, personal representative of the Sultan of Oman, highlighted the importance of the maritime heritage of the country. The voyage, according to Sayyid Shihab, brings back the "glorious heritage of the Sultanate of Oman."

Senior Minister of State Zainul, when asked for his comments, said that, "the Jewel of Muscat is more than a symbol of maritime history. It also reflects the warm relationship between Oman and Singapore as well as the broader build up of relations between the two countries and the regions."

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
16 FEBRUARY 2010