Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Wednesday concluded his three-day state visit to Malaysia, with both countries reaffirming their commitment to deepening cooperation in trade, investment, food security, energy and regional stability.

The visit, President Tharman’s first state visit to Malaysia since assuming office in September 2023, was made at the invitation of Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim and followed the monarch’s state visit to Singapore in May 2024.

During the visit, Tharman received a state welcome at Istana Negara, attended a state banquet hosted by the King, and held talks with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. He also met business leaders and representatives from Singapore’s overseas community in Malaysia.

According to Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discussions between Tharman and Anwar focused on strengthening bilateral collaboration in areas of mutual interest, particularly food security and energy, while also exchanging views on regional and global developments, including the situation in West Asia. Both leaders stressed the importance of upholding international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and safeguarding freedom of navigation.

The Singapore president also travelled to Selangor, where he met Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah and Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari. The discussions explored potential cooperation in technical and vocational education, climate adaptation, flood mitigation and the growth of start-ups, with Tharman welcoming stronger exchanges between Singapore and Selangor.

The visit underscored the close and enduring partnership between the neighbouring countries as they seek to expand cooperation across economic, environmental and regional priorities.