SINGAPORE: Malaysia has allowed Singapore to open new consulates in the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced on Thursday (Dec 4).
He was speaking during a joint press conference with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim, who was in Singapore for the 12th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat.
“I’m also very happy that Malaysia has formally agreed to Singapore’s proposal to open consulates in Sabah and Sarawak. This will allow Singapore to provide consular services to Singaporeans there, and deepen the already robust ties between our peoples,” he said.
The idea was discussed during the previous leaders’ retreat in Putrajaya in January 2025 – the first one between Mr Anwar and Mr Wong as prime ministers.
Both countries issued a joint statement at the time noting Singapore’s intention to open the new consulates in Malaysia’s territory, but approval had not been granted then.
Singapore currently has two diplomatic missions in Malaysia, namely a High Commission in Kuala Lumpur as well as a consulate in Johor Bahru that opened in 2009.
On Thursday, both sides also exchanged two memorandums of understanding (MOUs) on health cooperation and the fight against drugs, which was witnessed by both prime ministers at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore hotel.
