PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has received an invitation from Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for an official visit to the city state.

       The Prime Minister received a congratulatory phone call yesterday from Lee, who extended the invitation, saying that he looked forward to strengthening their friendship and cooperation.

       Singapore Foreign Affairs Ministry said during the phone call, both prime ministers reaffirmed Singapore and Malaysia’s long-standing, deep and broad-ranging relations, and looked forward to working closely to confront shared challenges.

       In a separate congratulatory letter penned to Ismail Sabri, Lee said the two governments had worked closely on shared challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic, and that Ismail Sabri had contributed significantly by co-chairing the Singapore-Malaysia Special Working Committee on Covid-19 to oversee the continued movement of people and goods across the border.

       He said Malaysia and Singapore enjoyed deep, warm and multi-faceted relations, and shared many common interests, while the people had familial ties across the border.

       “Over the years, Singapore has cooperated closely with successive Malaysian governments to confront our shared challenges, including this pandemic.

       “I have every confidence that our relationship will continue to flourish. I look forward to meeting you soon, and working with you to expand our cooperation for mutual benefit.

       “I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to make an official visit to Singapore for us to discuss how we can partner each other to take our friendship further,” said Lee in the letter.

       He added that with Ismail Sabri’s wealth of experience in public service and government, including having helmed multiple ministries prior to his appointments as deputy prime minister and senior minister in the previous administration, he was confident that Malaysia would continue to prosper under Ismail Sabri’s leadership as Prime Minister.

       “Ho Ching and I send our best wishes for you and Datin Seri Muhaini Zainal Abidin’s continued good health and happiness,” added Lee, referring to their respective spouses.

       Indonesian President Joko Widodo also sent a congratulatory message to Ismail Sabri via his Twitter account @jokowi.

       “Warmest congratulations Your Excellency Ismail Sabri Yaakob @ismailSabri60 on your appointment as the Ninth Prime Minister of Malaysia.

       “Ready to continue working together to strengthen Indonesia-Malaysia bilateral relations,” said Jokowi on Saturday.

       Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also sent a message of congratulations to Ismail Sabri, reported Vietnam News Agency.

       Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah also conveyed his well wishes to Ismail Sabri.

       The Brunei ruler also expressed his hope that the long-established friendship between the two countries will continue via bilateral cooperation on many fronts, reported Pelita Brunei.

       Brunei, it added, would be delighted to host Ismail Sabri in the near future.