Malaysian PM cultivates closer ties with Singapore

Valued relationship

However, Anwar's visit to Singapore goes beyond the ASEAN connection, Chin said. It also highlights the close relationship between the two countries.

Singapore and Malaysia are not just close geographically, the two countries' histories, economies, cultures and politics being intertwined.

The meeting was symbolic because it was the first face-to-face meeting of the two leaders since the pandemic, Chin said. It is also a prelude to the coming Singapore-Malaysia Leaders' Retreat, the last having been held in April 2019.

Lee has invited Anwar to visit Singapore for the leaders' retreat in the second half of this year. He is also due to pay a state visit to Malaysia next month.

Anwar said the two countries need to do their utmost to enhance bilateral relations. Apart from issues related to trade, investment and security, both sides could also work on food security, he said.