SINGAPORE – Singaporean Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, who concluded his two-day working visit to Malaysia today, is certainly delighted with the hospitality extended by his host.
On Facebook today, he shared a photo of a meal prepared by Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah during an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
“After a long day of meetings, no better way to conclude our trip than with a royal meal – keropok ikan, rendang tok and sambal belacan generously gifted by Her Majesty Raja Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia,” said Balakrishnan in his post.
He ended his post with the hashtag, #fooddiplomacy, along with emojis of the Singaporean and Malaysian flags side by side.
During the royal audience, the minister also conveyed an invitation on behalf of the republic’s president, Halimah Yacob for Al-Sultan Abdullah, to make a state visit to Singapore.
During his two-day visit here that began on Tuesday, Balakrishnan had met his Malaysian counterpart Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein; Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin; and, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.
Balakrishnan also paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
The visit was seen as crucial in ironing out details, including on digital vaccination certificates in resuming Malaysia-Singapore cross-border travel that was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. – Bernama, March 25, 2021
