SINGAPORE, May 7 – Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar on Tuesday became the first king of Malaysia to visit Singapore’s Parliament House while parliament was in session.
Sultan Ibrahim observed parliamentary proceedings, accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, and was taken on a tour of parliament chambers.
He was hosted by Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng, who also delivered a short address to the House to honour the king.
Mr Seah said that Sultan Ibrahim was always an ardent supporter of bringing the people of Malaysia and Singapore together.
Singapore and Johor’s partnership strengthened during the king’s reign as Sultan of Johor, especially when both sides worked to keep supply lines across land borders open during the COVID-19 pandemic, said the Speaker.
He noted that Singapore and Malaysia celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Causeway this year, and 60 years of diplomatic relations next year.
“I’m confident that His Majesty’s visit today is a precursor to even stronger ties between Singapore and Malaysia,” said Mr Seah.
Sultan Ibrahim is in Singapore on his firts overseas state visit as king of Malaysia, accompanied by Queen of Malaysia Raja Zarith Sofia, Malaysia’s Minister of Transport Anthony Loke and other senior officials. He is on the final day of the two-day visit.
