Lim with Menon at Singapore’s 54th National Day and Bicentennial celebrations in Kuala Lumpur. — Photos: MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
THE cordial ties between Malaysia and Singapore was evident at the packed ballroom as the republic celebrated its 54th National Day in Kuala Lumpur.
The event was extra special with Singapore marking its Bicentennial this year.
It was some 200 years ago in 1819 that Singapore was founded by Sir Stamford Raffles.
Singapore High Commissioner Vanu Gopala Menon welcomed a long line of guests at the Shangri-la Kuala Lumpur.
He later exchanged toasts with Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, who was the guest of honour.
Other VIPs at the event were Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok, Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar and Deputy Defence Minister Liew Chin Tong.
Guests helping themselves to food at the reception.
In his address, Menon said like Malaysia, Singapore was fortunate to be home to different cultures and communities.
“We celebrate many festivals which are all the more special with the decorations and colourful lights.
“The photographs that you see on the screens at the side will give you a glimpse into our everyday scenes and stories.“If you look at the decor, you will notice that the theme of the evening is ‘Neon Singapore’.
“It draws inspiration from Singapore’s i-Light festival, which is South-East Asia’s leading sustainable light art festival.
“This year’s edition held in Marina Bay, the Civic District, Singapore River and Fort Canning Park kicked off the Bicentennial celebrations, ” he added.
Menon noted it had been another eventful year on the Singapore-Malaysia bilateral calendar, adding that there had been numerous official visits from both sides.
“Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong visited Kuala Lumpur for a very successful Leaders’ Retreat in April, which was the first Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat with the Pakatan Harapan government.
“In November 2018, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad visited Singapore in conjunction with the 33rd Asean Summit, ” he added.
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