Visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan to Johor, 2 December 2021

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan visited Johor, Malaysia on 2 December 2021, to reaffirm the longstanding and warm relations between Singapore and Johor.

Minister Balakrishnan had an audience with and was hosted to lunch by the Sultan of Johor, DYMM Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar. Minister Balakrishnan conveyed an invitation from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Sultan Ibrahim to make an official visit to Singapore in the near future. Minister Balakrishnan also called on the Tunku Mahkota Johor, DYAM Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim.

Minister Balakrishnan had a meeting with Menteri Besar of Johor, YAB Dato’ Hasni Mohammad. They welcomed the implementation of the Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTLs) on 29 November 2021 for travel by air and across the Causeway. The VTLs are a reflection of the good working relationship between Singapore and Malaysia, including the Johor state government, and build on both sides’ earlier efforts to facilitate cross-border travel during the pandemic in a safe manner. Minister Balakrishnan also reaffirmed Singapore’s continued support for Johor’s efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. To that end, Singapore’s contribution of 100,620 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was delivered to the Johor state government on 2 December 2021, through the Sultan of Johor’s foundation, the Yayasan Sultan Ibrahim Johor.

Minister Balakrishnan and Johor’s leaders also exchanged views on new areas of cooperation between Singapore and Johor. Minister Balakrishnan welcomed the establishment of the Johor Economic, Tourism and Cultural Office in Singapore in 2022, which will further strengthen Singapore’s trade relations with Johor. Both sides also discussed the possibility of institutionalising more exchanges between public service officials, including through professional exchanges and capacity building programmes.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

2 DECEMBER 2021