Singapore to boost connectivity, tourism, education with Terengganu and Kelantan: Maliki Osman
The five-day trip marked Dr Maliki Osman’s first official visit to Malaysia’s east coast states in his capacity as Second Foreign Affairs Minister.
Singapore's Second Foreign Affairs Minister Maliki Osman meets with Terengganu State Executive Councillor Wan Sukairi Wan Abdullah. (Photo: Facebook/Maliki Osman)
KUALA TERENGGANU: Singapore wants to boost connectivity and interaction with more Malaysian states, beyond just the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, in an effort to uplift cross-border cooperation and tourism.
More collaboration is also on the cards in other areas such as development and education, said Singapore's Second Foreign Affairs Minister Maliki Osman.
These topics, as well as urban planning and agriculture, were discussed during his visit to the northeastern Malaysian states of Terengganu and Kelantan between Apr 15 and 19.
“The relationship between Singapore and Malaysia is strong and must continue to remain strong, and it should go beyond the relationship between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur alone,” Dr Maliki said.
"It's about telling our Malaysian friends that we value that relationship and we want to support growth in all the different states, and build up possible collaboration.”
BOOSTING TOURISM
The five-day trip marked Dr Maliki’s first official visit to Malaysia’s east coast states in his capacity as Second Foreign Affairs Minister.
Wrapping up the visit, the minister highlighted tourism as an area in which Singapore can better support its neighbours.
He noted that it is now difficult to travel to the pristine beaches along Malaysia’s east coast, which were once a haven for tourists, known for white sands and clear blue waters.
“We used to have direct flights from Singapore to Kelantan, and Singapore to Terengganu, but that stopped a couple of years back,” he said.
Dr Maliki invited the two states to set up tourism offices in Singapore so that more travellers can head over more easily.
“The leaders agree that one way for us to really improve on that relationship, and support tourism in both states, is to look at connectivity. And we welcome the two states’ efforts in promoting tourism,” he said.
STRENGTHENING TIES
The visits to Kelantan and Terengganu were part of Singapore’s continuous efforts to engage and strengthen long-term relations with the various states across Malaysia and to explore new areas of collaboration, Singapore’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
While in Kelantan, Dr Maliki met with the state’s Crown Prince Tengku Muhammad Faiz Petra, Malaysia’s Domestic Trade and Costs of Living Minister Salahuddin Ayub, and United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) Secretary-General Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
Following his meetings, Dr Maliki said in an Instagram post that Singapore is keen to step up ties with Kelantan.
“I had very good discussions on potential cooperation in education, including exchanges between our students, investments, human resource and infrastructure development, urban planning, and agriculture,” he said.
He also visited a workshop for one of Kelantan’s most famous products, Kelantan batik.
In Terengganu, Dr Maliki met with various government and business leaders, along with representatives from political coalitions and parties including Pakatan Harapan (PH), Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS), and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).
“There is much potential for Singapore and Terengganu to work together for mutual benefit,” Dr Maliki said, adding that areas of discussion included economic opportunities, sustainability efforts, and the strengthening of relationships.
Dr Maliki also took a walking tour of Chinatown and visited a local Songket workshop, which showcases traditional handwoven fabric.
CAPACITY BUILDING AND EDUCATION
Dr Maliki said capacity building and technical assistance are areas that Singapore and the two states can cooperate on.
For instance, Singapore can share its technical know-how in infrastructure development, urban planning, and water management.
“I discussed with my counterparts in the two states and offered them … send your officials to Singapore to learn from us and for us to share our experiences. We are most happy to do that,” he said.
Dr Maliki, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Education Minister, met students from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu during his trip.
The school works closely with the National University of Singapore in areas such as maritime management and environmental sustainability.
He said he hopes schools in both countries will continue to create opportunities for youth to work even closer together, and facilitate interaction and appreciation for each other's culture.
“It was useful to hear their experiences and hopes for the future. I also encouraged them to engage youth from Singapore, and to continue working hard in their chosen disciplines,” he said.
“We should continue to provide opportunities for our younger generation to maintain and understand the deep ties that the older generation had, which has been the cornerstone of the relationship between Singapore and Malaysia.”
