Malaysia-Singapore ties should be continuously nourished - Tuanku Abdul Halim

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah has expressed confidence that the ties binding Malaysia and Singapore will continue to be nourished at every level, including among the young generation.

At the same time, the Malaysian monarch hoped that both sides would continue to promote mutual respect and understanding so that these linkages would be much stronger in the years to come.

Speaking at a state banquet in honour of visiting Singapore President Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam here Wednesday night, the king noted that over the years, Malaysia and Singapore had stood side by side, collaborating on many aspects that were mutually beneficial to both countries.

These covered areas such as trade and investment as well as tourism.

He said enhancing further connectivity and accessibility across border would definitely bring Malaysians and Singaporeans much closer.

"This augurs well for our already established close friendship and kinship. Beyond that, it will stimulate more business links and generate multiplier effects on greater social-economic development for the two countries," he said.

The banquet held at Istana Negara in the Malaysian capital was also graced by Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah.

Also present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor as well as Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Dr Tan began a three-day official visit to Malaysia today. He is accompanied by his wife, Mary Tan.

Meanwhile, the Singaporean president said with the improved relations, Malaysia and Singapore were enjoying greater cooperation across many fields, including transport, communications, arts, culture and education.

He said that improved bilateral connectivity through projects such as the proposed high speed rail link would further enhance economic cooperation and people-to-people interaction.

"We are dreaming big together, so our people will gain an enriching and secure future together," he said.

On a broader regional perspective, Dr Tan said Malaysia and Singapore also cooperated closely in Asean and that both shared a common vision of a prosperous, strong and united regional grouping.

He said Singapore looked forward to Malaysia's chairmanship of Asean in 2015 and to working together with Malaysia and other member states to realise the Asean Community.