SINGAPORE – Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar became the first Malaysian King to visit Parliament House on May 7.

At 12:10 p.m., as the King entered the Speaker’s Gallery with his entourage, Parliament Speaker Seah Kian Peng announced his presence and welcomed visitors to the chamber.

Mr Seah said the King, who was in Singapore on a two-day state visit, was no stranger to the republic and had always been a keen supporter of bringing Singaporeans and Malaysians together.

The Chairman added that the King’s visit was timely as bilateral relations are strong and robust, and exchanges at the political and bureaucratic levels take place regularly.

Sultan Ibrahim had been the ruler of Johor state since 2010 before being sworn in as Malaysia’s 17th king on January 31. Mr Seah noted that under his rule, the partnership between Singapore and Johor has strengthened despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Johor and Singapore worked closely together to keep supply lines open across the land border despite the causeway being closed to travellers, and in recognition of the Sultan’s achievements, the National University of Singapore He conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws degree on the Sultan during his official visit to Singapore. In 2022, the Chair said.

Mr Thayer’s gesture was unusual since the chairman usually only acknowledges the presence of visiting foreign dignitaries in a sentence or two. King Ibrahim was accompanied by Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore Azfar Mohammad Mustafar and other senior officials.

He also detailed in the House that there were frequent exchanges between members of both parties. In May 2023, Parliament hosted members of the Johor State Climate Change and Disaster Management Committee, and in October, it hosted Mr Seah’s counterpart, Datuk Johari Abdul, then Malaysian National Assembly Dewan Rakyat Speaker. .

Mr. Shi noted that the King’s visit comes as the two neighboring countries have many exciting projects underway.

The Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) link is expected to be in service by the end of 2026 and strengthen people-to-people connectivity, while the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone will make it easier for Singapore businesses to set up. It seems to be. A store located in Johor.

Mr See said Singapore is also considering expanding cooperation with Malaysia into new areas such as energy.

It added that the country will celebrate the causeway’s 100th anniversary in June and the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Malaysia in 2025.

“I am confident that His Majesty’s visit portends further strengthening of ties between Singapore and Malaysia,” Mr See said as MPs clapped their arms in approval.

Before the King ends his state visit on May 7, he will visit the Thomson East Coast Line and be briefed on the progress of the RTS Link at the Woodlands North terminus.