On June 5, the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, hosted Singapore deputy prime minister Heng Swee Keat and foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan for a Hari Raya Open House.
According to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement, the event was held at the Istana Bukit Serene, the royal palace and official residence for the Sultan of Johor.
Both Heng and Vivian were also accompanied by their spouses.
Johor Sultan notes the significance of Heng's and Vivian's presence
All three parties further posted about the visit on Facebook on the same day, highlighting how the visit by the Singapore delegation underscored the friendly relations between Singapore and Johor.
They also acknowledged that the visit paid by Singapore leaders was a long-standing practice.
https://www.facebook.com/Vivian.Balakrishnan.Sg/posts/10155929350006207A royal welcome
The Sultan referred to both Heng and Vivian as "a high-powered Singapore delegation".
He added in his post that the guests were given "a warm and gracious welcome" by himself and his wife, and treated to a Hari Raya lunch that featured multiple local dishes.
Previous visits
To understand why a visit by Heng and Vivian is highly significant, it is important to look back at the previous ministers who visited the Sultan of Johor during his Hari Raya Open House.
In 2017, it was Health Minister Gan Kim Yong and Desmond Lee, in his previous capacity as Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, who attended the Sultan of Johor's Open House, according to The Straits Times.
And in 2015, it was Tan Chuan-Jin and Chan Chun Sing, who attended the event in their previous capacities as Minister for Social and Family Development and Minister in the Prime Minister's Office respectively, The Star reported.
In 2014, the ministers in attendance were Health Minister Gan and Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong, Asiaone reported.
A lack of visits in 2016 and 2018 was due to the Johor royal household making the decision not to hold an open house for personal reasons.
Strengthening ties
Ties between Singapore and Malaysia have been tensed in the past year since the Pakatan Harapan coalition came into power up north.
But the relationship between the Johor royalty and Singapore has remained stable.
In January, Heng stressed the importance of win-win solutions for both countries in a Facebook post, after a meeting between Vivian and Malaysia foreign minister Saifuddin Abdullah on bilateral disputes.
He added that such solutions were crucial given the "deep historical, economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties" both countries share as neighbours.
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