King's state visit to Singapore strengthens bilateral relations

According to the Comptroller of Royal Household for Istana Negara Datuk Seri Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, this was because Al-Sultan Abdullah as the country's head of state showed his diplomatic skills in relation to Singapore's leadership.

He said His Majesty had also discussed current issues between the two countries and at the same time, provided solutions through existing mechanisms.

"The Yang di-Pertuan Agong's diplomatic skills are outstanding due to the exposure he gained, particularly in the field of international relations while studying in the United Kingdom after the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

"...also when (Al-Sultan Abdullah) was leading FAM (Malaysian Football Association) and he was the Executive Committee member of FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) and also vice-president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

"His Majesty's vast experience provides a point of conversation between him and Singapore leaders such as Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong," he told Bernama and RTM on the state visit here.

Al-Sultan Abdullah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah began their state visit on Oct 25 at the invitation of Singapore president Halimah Yacob. Their Majesties left for Malaysia today.

During the four-day state visit, Their Majesties visited, among others, the Asian Civilisations Museum and Edible Garden City on Oct 25, in addition to holding a meeting with Halimah and Lee the next day and attending a banquet with Malaysian diaspora yesterday.

Commenting further, Ahmad Fadil said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had also said that the state visit was a success with the opportunity to hold a second meeting with Halimah and Lee this year.

"What is interesting is the ability of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, together with the Raja Permaisuri Agong, to casually discuss any topic with the leaders of the Singapore government, involving current and past topics.

"This demonstrates the close relations between the two leaders in the context of neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore," he said, adding that the meetings between His Majesty and Singapore leaders also ran over the scheduled time.

Meanwhile, Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore Datuk Dr Azfar Mohamad Mustafar said Al-Sultan Abdullah had extended an invitation to Halimah for a state visit to Malaysia before her term as president ends next year.

He said that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong extended the invitation during the meeting with the president of Singapore on Wednesday, however, the date of Halimah's state visit to Malaysia will be determined later.