‘Closer Together’: Celebrating 61 years of friendship, Singapore envoy calls for stronger ties with Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 — Singapore and Malaysia’s increasingly intertwined relationship reinforces the importance of closer cooperation between the two countries amid a rapidly changing and more volatile world, said Singapore High Commissioner to Malaysia Vanu Gopala Menon.
“Our bilateral relationship is so intertwined and interrelated that it is in our mutual interest to work together on a wide range of issues, more so in today’s rapidly changing and more volatile world,” he said in his remarks at the 61st National Day Reception held on Wednesday evening.
Also present was Malaysia’s Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
Menon said “Closer Together”, the theme of the reception, aptly reflected the historical ties between the two countries, as well as their growing friendship and cooperation.
“That is why ‘Closer Together’ is a fitting theme for this year’s reception. It epitomises not only the historical ties between our two countries, but also the friendship and cooperation that have strengthened and deepened over the years,” he said.
“As in the Chinese idiom 风雨同舟 (fēng yǔ tóng zhōu), we are in the same boat and will have to weather the storm and choppy waters together,” he said.
Menon said the commitment to continuously strengthen the bonds between the two countries was shared at the highest levels, as reflected in a series of high-level visits and exchanges this year.
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam made his first State Visit to Malaysia in July, at the invitation of the King of Malaysia, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim.
In February, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong visited Malaysia at the invitation of Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong was here in May, while ministers on both sides kept up a strong rhythm of exchanges and dialogue throughout the year.
Turning to people-to-people links, Menon said the two countries continued to engage across various domains, including the arts and culture.
In April, the Singapore Ballet performed “Ballet Illuminations 2026”, a triple bill of classical and contemporary works, at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre.
In June, Singapore’s Ding Yi Music Company shared the stage with the Malaysia Century Chinese Orchestra at the “Festival Orkestra Kuala Lumpur”, organised by Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL).
On the business front, Menon said: “The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) has brought jobs and opportunities for both our peoples and will play an important role in catalysing growth in our region.”
“The movement of people on both sides will grow further with the completion of the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link,” he added.
Menon also highlighted the mutual assistance extended by both countries during times of need.
“And we have always helped each other in times of need,” he said.
During the floods in Hat Yai in southern Thailand last year, Malaysia helped support Singaporeans making their way home.
Likewise, when Singapore organised repatriation flights recently from West Asia, it helped bring Malaysians to safety.
“Overall, the Singapore-Malaysia relationship is a testament to the peribahasa, ‘Bagai isi dengan kuku’ — two countries and peoples bonded by our shared history, kinship and growing cooperation,” he said.
Menon said food was another important link between the two communities, with nasi lemak, satay, laksa and durian among dishes enjoyed by both Singaporeans and Malaysians.
“One of the main threads binding our peoples and cultures is food,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Menon called on Singaporeans and Malaysians to continue working towards a shared future.
“Let us, Singaporeans and Malaysians, continue to come closer together, aspiring towards shared dreams of a better future.”
More than 1,200 guests, including government representatives, the business community, members of the diplomatic corps, friends of Singapore and Singaporeans living in Malaysia, joined the celebration.
Guests were treated to iconic classic tunes from Singapore and Malaysia by The Straits Ensemble, the flagship ensemble of Pasat Merdu, a Singaporean non-profit organisation dedicated to intercultural exchange.
The ensemble features instruments from different cultures, such as the Chinese pipa (lute), Malay rebana (tambourine), and Indian tabla (hand drums).
Singapore celebrated its 61st National Day on Sunday, August 9, 2026.
