JOHOR BARU (The Straits Times/ANN): Two Singaporean cabinet ministers attended the Johor royal family's Hari Raya Open House on March 31, continuing an annual tradition that reaffirms Singapore's strong ties with Johor.
During their visit, Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Education Minister Chan Chun Sing and Dr Balakrishnan's wife Joy were hosted to lunch by the Regent of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim and his wife Che' Puan Mahkota Khaleeda Johor at Istana Bukit Serene.
"Singapore and Johor share a unique friendship that has withstood the test of time," Chan said in a Facebook post.
"We are bound not only by our economic ties, but also our shared history and deep people-to-people relationship," he added.
Dr Balakrishnan and Chan conveyed their Hari Raya greetings to Tunku Ismail and the Johor royal family.
Both sides also discussed the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link and other initiatives to further strengthen their multifaceted and robust cross-border relationship, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on March 31.
In a Facebook post, Dr Balakrishnan said that these upcoming major projects will "bring new energy to our partnership – strengthening economic collaboration and people-to-people ties".
The annual tradition of visiting the Johor royals for Hari Raya Aidilfitri resumed in 2023 after a three-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic. – The Straits Times/ANN
