Before the state banquet, Mr Tharman and Sultan Ibrahim unveiled designs for four stamps that will be jointly issued by SingPost and Post Malaysia to mark the centennial anniversary of the Causeway.
“They are timely reminders of how this busiest land crossing in the world is not just a physical connection between our two countries, but a symbol of the permanent bonds that exist between us,” said Mr Tharman.
Singapore and Malaysia will also celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year, he noted.
Through the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, the two countries aim to explore ways to enhance cross-border connectivity, strengthen the development of human resources and drive cooperation in key growth sectors like renewable energy, said Mr Tharman.
“In doing so, we hope to strengthen the broader economic interlinkages between Singapore and Malaysia for our benefit.”
But the bonds between the two countries “go deeper than economic cooperation”, he added, stressing that the shared cultural heritage should be “celebrated and renewed”.
“Whether through educational, sporting or artistic exchanges, or tourism in all its flavours, it is important that we keep up our people-to-people exchanges, and ensure that younger Singaporeans and Malaysians grow up with the familiarity, appreciation and good understanding of each other,” said Mr Tharman.
The completion of the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System by the end of 2026 should further boost these relationships, he added.
It is also “critical” that Singapore and Malaysia strengthen their partnership as founding members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), amid a world of growing great power rivalries and the erosion of the rules-based international order, said Mr Tharman.
“As Malaysia prepares to take on the ASEAN chairmanship next year, I’m confident that our two countries will continue to work well together to maintain ASEAN’s unity, centrality and relevance.”
In a Facebook post on Monday evening, Mr Tharman also said he was happy to have welcomed Sultan Ibrahim at the Istana.
He noted that this was the king’s first overseas state visit since taking up office earlier this year, underscoring the “close and longstanding ties that Singapore and Malaysia share at all levels”.
He also listed some of the dishes served at the state banquet, such as rojak and laksa, which reflected “our shared heritage”.
He then joked about the dessert that was served – ondeh-ondeh with gula melaka filling and coconut ice-cream – and named “Harmony across the Straits”.
“What’s a bit of manis (sweet in Malay) between friends?” he said.