JOHOR BARU: Malaysians and Singaporeans are hopeful that bilateral ties between the two countries will be kept strong by the republic’s incoming prime minister.

Louie Ngoi, a Malaysian working in Singapore, said both countries share a long history and would always have close relations, especially due to their geographic proximity.

“I believe that when one side does well, the other side will benefit as well. I hope Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s successor, Lawrence Wong, will ensure long-lasting ties with Malaysia, which would lead to more investments and economic activities via initiatives like the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ),” he said when interviewed.

Ngoi added that he keeps up with the news, especially concerning Malaysia-Singapore bilateral relations, as most of his relatives are living in Johor and Melaka.

Assistant manager Nurul Najihah Saedin, 28, said she hopes the leadership transition would not affect ongoing mega projects and initiatives involving the two countries.

“We are looking forward to big-ticket projects like the ongoing Rapid Transit System Link project and JS-SEZ, which will bring more job and investment opportunities to Johor.

“Hopefully, the transition will not cause any delays in the establishment of the JS-SEZ, as both countries agreed to have the full-fledged agreement ready by this year after signing a memorandum of understanding earlier this year,” she added.

Restaurant owner R. Janaki, 43, said maintaining a firm friendship would be beneficial to the people of both countries.

“It is a known fact that many Malaysians, especially Johoreans, work across the border, and Singaporeans also frequently visit us for shopping and leisure activities.“Malaysians who earn Singapore dollars also return home to spend it here and boost our economy. I hope that our ties will be maintained to ensure sufficient jobs and economic opportunities,” she said.

Singaporean businessman Alex Yeo is confident that the diplomatic ties will be kept strong after the leadership transition.

The 55-year-old said His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia’s two-day state visit to Singapore, which included a ceremonial welcome by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and an official lunch with Lee, reflected the good ties enjoyed by the two countries.

“The royal visit signaled that Malaysia and Singapore are still good friends and neighbours.

“I also look forward to seeing how Wong will lead Singapore as prime minister as he is considered a new-generation leader with a different leadership style.

“He is quite active on social media platforms like TikTok where he also posted a video of himself playing the guitar to a popular Taylor Swift song,” said Yeo, who described Wong as “friendly with the people”.

Lee had earlier announced he would hand over power to his designated successor Wong on May 15 ahead of an election that must be held next year.

Wong has been prime minister-in-waiting since April 2022 after the previous anointed successor stepped aside unexpectedly and derailed the carefully-choreographed leadership transition typical in Singapore.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/05/09/people-on-both-sides-of-causeway-are-hopeful