ENGAGING WITH MALAYSIAN STATES
On Singapore’s engagement with Malaysian states, Mr Tharman said these relationships complemented ties with the federal government.
During his visit, he met the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Crown Prince Tengku Amir Shah and the Sultan’s senior advisers. Their discussions covered vocational education, the cleanup of the Singapore River and flood mitigation.
“They are keen to see what they can borrow from our experience, not just the experience of the Europeans and others, but the Singapore experience,” Mr Tharman said.
He also met the Selangor chief minister Amirudin Shari, who he said was interested in advancing economic integration. The president noted Singapore companies continue to invest in Selangor, citing SIA Engineering’s recently established aircraft maintenance and repair operations in Subang.
During the state visit, Mr Tharman also met with Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, with discussions covering food security and energy, geopolitical developments and economic partnership.
INVESTING IN FUTURE GENERATIONS
Looking ahead, Mr Tharman said he hoped Singapore and Malaysia could strengthen ties by creating more opportunities for young people to study, work and build friendships across the Causeway.
He suggested that both countries could expand student exchanges, internships and entrepreneurship programmes that allow young people to spend more time together.
“But there is nothing like living together, studying together, and hanging around together over a longer period, or repeated periods, that makes for lasting friendships and a more enduring understanding of each other,” he said.
“It’s not easy to arrange; it may require some credit to be given to the students. But there will be larger strategic benefit in time.”
Mr Tharman also called for greater collaboration in the arts, saying both countries could build on existing cultural exchanges by giving shared traditions “fresh appeal” for younger generations.
