The Singapore High Commissioner to Malaysia, Vanu Gopala Menon, has highlighted the importance of cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore in areas such as sustainability, climate change, and the digital economy. Speaking at a National Day reception, Menon emphasized that the strong land, air, and sea connections between the countries facilitate such cooperation and interactions. The reception, hosted by Menon and his wife Jayanthi, focused on the theme “Bersama” (Together), signifying the robust ties between the people of both nations and their commitment to addressing future challenges. The event, held at Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, was attended by over 1,200 guests, including Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
Menon expressed that Singapore and Malaysia have been collaborating to improve people-to-people flows, including expedited immigration processes at the Johor-Singapore checkpoints. He also highlighted the positive progress on the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, which is expected to be completed by 2026.
In alignment with the theme of the reception, partnerships with charities and social enterprises were emphasized. These included the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore, Women of Will, and Art:Dis. Women of Will is an NGO in Malaysia that empowers women from low-income families to establish their food businesses, while Art:Dis is an organization in Singapore that empowers individuals with disabilities through the arts.
The Singapore High Commission distributed goodies and handicrafts prepared by Women of Will, which is involved in assisting the B40 community and working towards poverty eradication. The event also featured installation panels highlighting Singapore’s efforts in building a sustainable living environment and its partnership with Malaysia on issues such as the green economy and wildlife conservation.
The reception concluded with a performance by 27-year-old Singaporean musician Joshua German, who showcased his talents as a jazz and classical pianist. Despite being on the autism spectrum, German has not let his condition hinder his musical abilities. He delighted guests with nine songs, including Singapore National Day favorites like “Home” and well-known numbers like “What A Wonderful World.”
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
