Malaysian PM Anwar hosts dinner for PM Wong to kick-start leaders’ retreat
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PUTRAJAYA - Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who is also Finance Minister, arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 6 for the 11th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat.
PM Wong was received by Malaysian Minister of Higher Education Zambry Abdul Kadir at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
He was then hosted to dinner by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at Rumah Tangsi, a distinctive two-storey mansion with European-style architecture that is a national heritage site.
The Petronas Twin Towers were specially lit up in red, white and blue – the colours of the Malaysia and Singapore flags – to commemorate the good relations between both countries.
In a social media post after the dinner, PM Wong said: “We had a good discussion on many areas of cooperation that can benefit both countries. This will set a positive trajectory for our bilateral relations, as we mark the 60th anniversary of our diplomatic ties this year.”
He added that he is looking forward to the Leaders’ Retreat.
The two-day Leaders’ Retreat is being held in Putrajaya, Malaysia on Jan 6 and 7 in 2025. It is an annual platform for the leaders of both countries to set the overall direction for bilateral cooperation.
In the morning, PM Wong will attend an official welcome ceremony at Perdana Putra Complex, followed by a meeting between both leaders and their delegations.
Both prime ministers will witness the exchange of bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding across various domains.
PM Wong was received at Kuala Lumpur International Airport by Malaysian Minister of Higher Education Zambry Abdul Kadir.
PHOTO: MDDI
PM Wong is accompanied by Mrs Wong and a delegation comprising eight political office-holders.
They are: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam, Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for Health Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for National Development Desmond Lee, Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance Chee Hong Tat, and Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and National Development Sim Ann.
Chin Soo Fang is senior correspondent at The Straits Times, covering topics such as community, politics, social issues, consumer, culture and heritage.
