SINGAPORE: Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is planning a trip to Malaysia this Saturday (May 19) to meet his counterpart Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

In a speech during the parliamentary debate on the President's Address on Wednesday (May 16), Lee said Singapore needs to pay close attention to its relationship with Malaysia, its closest neighbour.

"We hope Malaysia is stable and prosperous. We have enjoyed good relations with Malaysia under former PM Najib Razak, and cooperated on major projects that benefit both sides," he said.

Singapore has also worked with Dr Mahathir and several members of his team, said Lee, adding that the Republic had completed several joint projects including the Second Link at Tuas, during Dr Mahathir previous tenure as premier.

Lee added that he also knows Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim well as he was his counterpart when he was Singapore's deputy prime minister.

"The expectations of the new Malaysian government are very high, and I think Dr Mahathir will be very busy in the days to come," he said.

"But I plan to visit Malaysia on Saturday to meet Dr Mahathir and to tell him that I look forward to working with him again for our mutual benefit," he said. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network