Anwar to Strengthen Regional Ties During Working Visit to Singapore for 12th Leaders’ Retreat

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will embark on a working visit to Singapore on Thursday (Dec 4) to attend the 12th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat, a key annual platform for both nations to advance bilateral cooperation.

According to a statement from the Malaysian Foreign Ministry, the retreat will serve as a high-level forum where leaders from Malaysia and Singapore will review progress on ongoing collaborations, discuss emerging regional and global challenges, and map out new areas to expand the long-standing partnership.

Held alternately between the two countries since 2007, the leaders’ retreat remains the highest institutionalized mechanism for both sides to take stock of the overall state of relations.

During the visit, both leaders are expected to witness the signing of two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and one bilateral agreement, reinforcing cooperation in strategic sectors. A joint statement will be issued at the close of the retreat.

Prime Minister Anwar will be accompanied by a senior delegation including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, and Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Johor Chief Minister Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi will also join the delegation, highlighting the involvement of key Malaysian states in regional cooperation.

Malaysia and Singapore maintain strong ties as close neighbors and major ASEAN partners. Singapore is currently Malaysia’s second-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching US$78.70 billion (RM339.39 billion) between January and October 2025  accounting for 13.5% of Malaysia’s total trade.

The visit comes at a significant moment as the two nations celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations, marking six decades of economic collaboration, people-to-people ties, and regional partnership.