PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has been invited for an official visit to Singapore by his counterpart Lee Hsien Loong to discuss how they can work together to take their friendship further.

       Ismail Sabri, who was sworn in as Malaysia's ninth Prime Minister on Saturday (Aug 21), had received a congratulatory phone call on Sunday (Aug 22) from Lee, who also expressed confidence in the former's leadership.

       The Singaporean Foreign Affairs Ministry said that during the phone call, both Prime Ministers reaffirmed Singapore and Malaysia’s longstanding, deep, and broad-ranging relations, and looked forward to working closely together to confront shared challenges.

       In a separate congratulatory letter penned to Ismail Sabri, Lee said that the two governments have worked closely on shared challenges including in 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 borders.

       "Malaysia and Singapore enjoy deep, warm, and multi-faceted relations. We share many common interests, and our peoples have 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, Lee was confident that Malaysia will continue to prosper under his 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.