SINGAPURA, Saturday (Aug 9): Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi pays a courtesy call on Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong upon his arrival in Singapore for a two-day working visit and to represent the Malaysian government at Singapore’s 2025 National Day Parade. - Photo: Bernama
SINGAPORE (Bernama): Singapore’s leaders have expressed their appreciation for Malaysia’s leadership in efforts to contain the crisis along the border between Thailand and Cambodia, according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said this was conveyed by Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong during separate meetings with both leaders on Saturday.
"This highlights Malaysia’s active role in ensuring regional peace and stability,” he said in a statement on Saturday.
Ahmad Zahid is in Singapore for a two-day working visit beginning Saturday and is scheduled to attend the Singapore National Day Parade this evening at the invitation of the Singapore Government.
In the separate meetings, he conveyed his warmest congratulations to the Government and people of Singapore on the occasion of their 60th National Day celebrations.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said his meeting with Wong, who is also Finance Minister, focused on strengthening long-standing bilateral relations, including strategic projects that have the potential to boost foreign direct investment (FDI) and create more job opportunities in Malaysia.
"We also discussed new areas of cooperation in tourism, TVET, and strengthening people-to-people ties as the foundation for long-term understanding,” he said.
Both leaders also examined ways to share best practices in enhancing laws related to the gig economy, which has become one of the key sectors in both countries.
Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia and Singapore are studying the matter from legal and policy perspectives to ensure industry players, especially gig workers, receive appropriate protection and have their welfare safeguarded.
"In this context, I also shared Malaysia’s initiatives in supporting gig workers through social protection and progressive policies, as part of efforts to build a competitive digital economy,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said that in his discussion with Gan, they agreed on the importance of fully harnessing ASEAN’s large market potential to boost bilateral trade.
"I also emphasised Malaysia’s role as the region’s leading halal hub, supported by halal industrial park infrastructure, world-class certification, and close regional trade cooperation,” he said.
Gan, who is also Minister for Trade and Industry, informed that Singapore had sent TVET trainers to Malaysia, in line with the shared commitment to strengthen quality and empower the TVET ecosystem.
Ahmad Zahid said Saturday’s discussions were highly beneficial, full of new ideas and opportunities that could potentially enhance bilateral relations.
He expressed confidence that the outcomes of the meetings would open a new chapter of closer strategic cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore, for the continuity and shared prosperity of the two neighbouring nations.
"Hopefully, everything discussed today will be translated into actions that will bring great benefits to the people of both countries in the future,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid concluded his engagements with Singapore’s top leadership with a luncheon with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. - Bernama
