BY NAZLI IBRAHIM
SHAH ALAM, AUG 17: The Selangor Government received a courtesy visit from the Singaporean Government’s delegation led by their Foreign Affairs and Defence Senior Minister Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman to strengthen bilateral relations.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said that besides discussing on mutual commitment to strengthen trade relations, both parties also discussed issues concerning safety in Southeast Asia.
“One of the things discussed was strategic steps that should be taken by both countries to build stronger ties in future.
“We have identified the areas of strategic cooperation that can be improved, like trade, culture and also training.
“We also discussed the issue of safety in the ASEAN region, particularly when many debates are sparked by China’s demands for territory and how ASEAN countries like Malaysia and Singapore can play their part by ensuring stability and safety in this region,” he said.
Mohamed Azmin said that to SelangorKini at the Menteri Besar’s Office, State Secretary Building on August 17.
The one hour visit was also joined by Singapore High Commissioner to Malaysia Vanu Gopala Menon, Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Deputy Director Shivakumar Nair, Singapore High Commissioner First Secretary Rifdi Ridwan and Ministry of Foreign Affairs State Officer Janice Lui Han Kaijie.
Elaborating on the discussion, Mohamed Azmin said Malaysia and Singapore have their own roles in displaying leadership to other ASEAN countries in order to return to the ZOPFAN (Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality) doctrine to ensure stability and safety in this region.
“This issue has become a hot debate these days. However, as an independent and sovereign country, we should play our role more proactively to create peace and stability in ASEAN, especially along the maritime route in the South China Sea.
“If there is a clash between two superpowers, we would be affected and we certainly want to avoid this,” he said.
Prior to this, Mohamed Azmin also received a courtesy call from New Zealand High Commissioner Dr Johan Subritzky, to strengthen trade relations between Selangor and New Zealand.
Singapore Senior Minister visits MB: Strengthens bilateral relations
