SINGAPORE: It will be his first visit to Singapore after returning as the prime minister of Malaysia for the second time when Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad arrives here today for the 33rd Asean Summit.
If what has been said at the many pre-summit informal meetings is anything to go by, it looks like Dr Mahathir may have a lot of expectations to fulfill.
Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said that being the most senior leader in Asean today, there was an air of expectation that Dr Mahathir would show leadership on issues confronting the region.
“A lot of people have high hopes when it comes to Dr Mahathir’s role in Asean.
“We have been hearing this a lot in informal meetings.
“There is this expectation from many people, especially as he will be returning after 15 years and we are looking forward to a fruitful outcome,” he said, adding that Dr Mahathir would, this time, bring up issues of regional unity, trade and security.
He said Dr Mahathir could be expected to raise regional issues, including the need for Asean to maintain its unity and inclusiveness in the “real sense” of the word.
Other issues that could be raised included the issue concerning the resettlement of Rohingya refugees.
Dr Mahathir will be welcomed by his Singaporean counterpart, Lee Hsien Loong, at Istana before paying a courtesy call on President Halimah Yacob.
Both premiers will then meet up to boost bilateral ties before breaking for lunch hosted by Lee.
“The aim is to further boost existing good relations which we have enjoyed all this while.
“There is no specific agenda as we have resolved most issues in the last few months, including the High Speed Rail (HSR) project,” Saifuddin said, adding that the government’s ability to solve
the HSR issue with Singapore demonstrated that both sides were guided by their wisdom to iron out matters amicably.
After lunch, Dr Mahathir and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, will be honoured with the naming of an orchid after them before the pair attend a high-tea session with Malaysians here.
Malaysia and Singapore enjoy 53 years of diplomatic ties and have maintained good relations as closest neighbours, as well as partners in Asean.
Both countries have strong cooperation in multiple sectors, including trade and investment.
Singapore is Malaysia’s second largest trading partner after China and the total bilateral trade between the two countries
last year was RM220.88 billion, representing 12.4 per cent of Malaysia’s global trade.
Tomorrow, Dr Mahathir will be hosted to lunch by Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.
He will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws by his alma matter, the National University of Singapore.
Dr Mahathir is slotted to be interviewed by CNBC International on day one of his visit and with the Straits Times the following day before he attends the
opening ceremony of the summit.
He will deliver a keynote address at the Asean Business and Investment Summit where he is expected to outline issues concerning economic growth and intra Asean trade.
In the evening, he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin where issues concerning lasting and sustainable peace in the Korean peninsula will be laid on the table.