Singapore DPM in Kuching for 2-day working visit

KUCHING: Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean arrived here yesterday morning for the start of a twoday working visit.

Accompanied by his wife Chew Poh Yin and a delegation from the city state, Teo was met on arrival at Kuching International Airport by Tourism, Arts, Culture Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

The deputy premier then had a meeting with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at a hotel here, before paying a courtesy call on Yang di- Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud at his residence in Demak Jaya.

Teo’s visit here is part of his Sept 4- 9 working visit to Malaysia – the first top official exchange between the two nations since Pakatan Harapan formed the new federal government following the general election.

The aim of the working visit to Malaysia is to allow the opportunity to exchange views on various bilateral, regional and international issues as well as to explore prospects to further strengthen cooperation.

Teo, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security, will depart next for Kota Kinabalu to continue his working visit.

Other members of the Singapore delegation comprise Senior Minister of State at the ministries of Communications and Information and also Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth Ann Sim; member of parliament Christopher De Souza; and Singapore High Commissioner to Malaysia Vanu Gopala Menon.

Abdul Karim (second left) welcomes Teo on his arrival at Kuching International Airport. With them are Chew (right) and Abdul Karim’s wife Datin Zuraini Abdul Jabbar.

— Penerangan photo Teo (second left) presents a souvenir to Taib witnessed by Taib’s wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib (third right). Also seen are (from right) Karim, Sim and De Souza.

Teo (left) and Abang Johari smile for the camera at the start of their meeting.