Forum: Presence of regional leaders at NDP speaks well of ties
I read with interest the article '
NDP 2025: Region's leaders join in Singapore's 60th birthday celebration at the Padang ' (Aug 9).
The presence of regional leaders at Singapore's 2025 National Day Parade at the Padang is more than just a ceremonial gesture. It is a powerful symbol of the trust, goodwill and shared history that bind Singapore and its closest neighbours.
Seeing leaders from Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia join in the nation's milestone celebration is an example of how diplomacy is not only conducted in high-level meetings or at the negotiating table, but also in moments of shared joy and commemoration. Such occasions help deepen mutual understanding and keep bilateral relationships warm, even amid the complexities of geopolitics.
Singapore's ties with its neighbours have been shaped by decades of collaboration, mutual support and respect. From economic partnerships and security cooperation to cultural exchanges and family connections across borders, these bonds have stood the test of time and strengthened over generations.
In an era where peace and stability are increasingly tested by identity politics, economic stratification and radicalisation, these gestures of friendship are important reminders that Singapore's relationships with other nations are not merely transactional; they are anchored in shared values, common aspirations, and the recognition that the nations' destinies are closely intertwined.
Looking ahead, there are many areas in which Singapore could work even more closely with its neighbours, such as collaboration on nuclear energy research and safety readiness, ensuring that the region is prepared for a future in which energy is cleaner and more sustainable, and enhanced maritime security cooperation to combat piracy in regional waters such as the Singapore Strait.
Also, expanding special economic zones across borders could spur innovation, create good jobs, and strengthen supply chain resilience. In education, expanding academic exchange programmes could deepen mutual understanding.
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As Singapore enters the next chapter of its national journey, it is comforting to know that the country does so not in isolation, but alongside trusted neighbours.
Irwan Jamil
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