People-to-people ties make Singapore-Malaysia relation "special" - Envoy

KUALA LUMPUR: After a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Singapore High Commission held a reception here last night in conjunction with the republic's National Day celebrated on August 9.

Its High Commissioner to Malaysia Vanu Gopala Menon said the pandemic, however, has reinforced how interdependent Singapore and Malaysia have been throughout the challenging times.

Reminiscing all the struggles and battles the two neighbouring countries had to face during the outbreak, he noted that Singapore's relationship with Malaysia is founded on deep people-to-people ties.

"Today, we would like to pay tribute not just to what we have missed, but also to what we have achieved and hope to achieve in our bilateral relationship.

"People make the relationship between our two countries truly special. On this National day, wishing our ties will continue to grow deeper and stronger with each successive generation of Singaporeans and Malaysians," he said in his speech during the reception held at the Shangri-la Hotel.

Themed "We Missed You", the reception was also attended by the Minister of Health, Khairy Jamaluddin, who was the guest of honour.

Over 800 guests attended the event which included Singaporeans and friends from the Malaysian government, corporate sector, diplomatic corps and the media.

Guests were also treated to a performance by Singaporean musician Churen Li, an internationally-recognised musician who had performed at many local and international festivals.

In line with the theme, the venue was decorated with Singapore icons, that included part of Singapore's national anthem -- the words "Majulah", which means "Onward" carved in ice.

-- BERNAMA