Mahathir, Hsien Loong to meet at first retreat in Putrajaya

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong will meet in this administrative capital tomorrow under the 9th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat.

The two prime ministers are scheduled to have a four-eyed meeting, after which there will be a delegation meeting, Wisma Putra, the foreign ministry, said today.

"They are expected to discuss issues of mutual concern, review the progress of existing bilateral cooperation and explore new areas of cooperation for mutual benefit,” said Wisma Putra.

Lee, who is scheduled to arrive in Malaysia today, will be accompanied by several of the republic's ministers as well as senior officials.

Mahathir and his wife, Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, will also host an official luncheon for the visiting delegation.

The prime minister had said recently that Malaysia and Singapore will discuss unresolved bilateral issues in a friendly manner during the retreat.

Among the unresolved issues to be discussed include problems associated with water, airspace and maritime borders, he said.

Malaysia and Singapore are each other’s second largest trade partner with total trade worth US$59.92 billion in 2018.

Both countries have strong cooperation in the areas of investment, education, defence, agriculture, transportation, information and communication, disaster management as well as the civil service.

- Bernama