Malaysian defence minister calls on PM

MALAYSIAN Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, who is in the Republic to attend the Singapore Airshow, yesterday called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana, said a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

PM Lee and Datuk Seri Hishammuddin, who is also Acting Transport Minister, welcomed the growing cooperation between the two countries, and encouraged further bilateral collaboration and exchanges especially in defence and transport.

Mr Hishammuddin yesterday attended a ceremony in honour of World War II hero, Lt Adnan Saidi and his men from the Malay Regiment, who died defending Singapore from the Japanese 71 years ago, Bernama news agency reported. The ceremony was also attended by Malaysia's High Commissioner to Singapore, Datuk Husni Zai Yaacob.

Mr Hishammuddin was quoted as saying that the high-speed rail (HSR) link between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore will take some time to become a reality.

But he added that he believed the iconic project - one that only a few years ago seemed impossible - would ultimately be realised thanks to the good working relationship of Malaysia's and Singapore's prime ministers.

Official discussions to build the HSR began last month, with the first meeting identifying matters for joint deliberations.

Mr Hishammuddin on Tuesday met Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is also Home Affairs Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security; Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen; and Foreign Minister K.Shanmugam.

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