Anwar Ibrahim to Attend Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will travel to Singapore on December 4, 2023, for the 12th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat. This meeting, held at the invitation of Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, serves as a crucial platform for the two leaders to assess bilateral cooperation and explore avenues for future collaboration.

The retreat is significant as it marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Malaysia. Following a lunch hosted by Mr. Wong, the leaders will meet with their respective delegations. Both Anwar and Wong hold the position of finance ministers in their countries, further emphasizing the financial aspects of their discussions.

Key Areas of Focus

During the retreat, the two leaders will witness the exchange of memorandums of understanding in areas such as health cooperation and drug control. According to the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), these agreements aim to enhance bilateral cooperation and facilitate greater exchange between the two nations.

Accompanying Anwar will be several high-ranking officials, including Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Fadillah Yusof, Sarawak Premier Abang Johari, and Foreign Affairs Minister Mohamad Hasan. The Singapore delegation will include Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong, along with other ministers responsible for national security, sustainability, and manpower.

This year’s discussions follow the previous leaders’ retreat held in **January 2023** in Putrajaya, where both leaders agreed to establish an indicative timeline for determining maritime boundaries in the Johor Strait. They also acknowledged Singapore’s plans to open consulates in Sabah and Sarawak to strengthen economic and cultural ties with East Malaysia.

Security Measures and Traffic Disruptions

As part of the security arrangements for the retreat, police have announced that security checks will be conducted around the venue, the Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore. Authorities advise the public to comply with these measures strictly.

To ensure the smooth conduct of the event, sections of Temasek Avenue and several lanes along Raffles Boulevard and Raffles Avenue will be closed from 22:00 on Wednesday until 23:59 on Thursday. Additionally, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore will implement a Temporary Restricted Area over the venue on Thursday from 09:00 to 17:30, prohibiting aerial activities, including the use of drones.

This leaders’ retreat not only highlights the long-standing relationship between Singapore and Malaysia but also sets the stage for future cooperation in critical areas affecting both nations.