S'pore's 2 DPM Look Forward To Working Closely With New M'sian Counterpart

By Massita Ahmad SINGAPORE, May 16 (Bernama) -- Both Singapore Deputy Prime Ministers look forward to working closely with their new Malaysian counterpart, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to further strengthen bilateral relations. In a statement issued by the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs Monday, Teo Chee Hean and Tharman Shanmugaratnam noted the strong bilateral cooperation between Singapore and Malaysia. Both had called Dr Wan Azizah to congratulate her on her appointment as Deputy Prime Minister. Pakatan Harapan’s thumping win at the just concluded 14th general election saw Malaysia get its very first female Deputy Prime Minister. Dr Wan Azizah, 66, was appointed by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Saturday. Teo and Tharman had also written congratulatory letters to Dr Wan Azizah. “My warmest congratulations on your appointment as Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia. I would also like to congratulate Pakatan Harapan on its strong win at the 14th general election, and your victory in your seat of Pandan,” said Teo in the letter which was made available to Bernama. Teo, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security said Singapore and Malaysia enjoyed strong and longstanding ties, built on mutual trust and respect. “We have a good working relationship and regular interactions at all levels from the very top, through to the ministerial and official levels. We co-operate closely in the economic, social and security dimensions. Teo looked forward to working closely with Dr Wan Azizah and her team to deepen and strengthen the cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral fora for the mutual benefit of the people of both countries. Meanwhile, Tharman said: “Congratulations on your new appointment as Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia as well as Pakatan Harapan’s victory at the 14th general election, and your landslide win in Pandan. “Your strong leadership as President of Pakatan Harapan and as President of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) was important in securing victory.” The Coordinating Minister for Economic and Social Policies said Singapore and Malaysia were close neighbours and partners. “We have longstanding and deep ties at many levels. We have also cooperated in a broad range of sectors from trade and investment through defence and tourism. “In addition, we work well together in regional and international fora, such as ASEAN, WTO, APEC, and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. “I look forward to continuing the positive collaboration between Singapore and Malaysia,” he said. Both also wished Dr Wan Azizah and husband, Anwar Ibrahim best of health and looked forward to meeting them both. -- BERNAMA