NDP 2025: Regional leaders join in Singapore's 60th birthday celebration at the Padang
The foreign dignitaries welcomed at the parade included Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural and Regional Development Zahid Hamidi, who is representing Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim; Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah; and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
The Regent of Johor Tunku Ismail and his spouse also joined the celebrations at Singapore's National Day Parade (NDP), along with 27,000 other spectators.
Each of them received cheers from the crowd when live footage of their entry to the VIP stand was flashed onto giant screens around the Padang as they took their seats.
All four leaders were seated among Singapore's leaders, including Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, as well as former prime minister Goh Chok Tong and former president Halimah Yacob.
Before the parade, Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam hosted Sultan Bolkiah and Datuk Seri Zahid for lunch at the Istana, where the trio conversed about various matters.
Mr Tharman wrote in a Facebook post: 'Our ties with our special friends run deep. They are a blessing in a world of turmoil. And we must keep nurturing them, with each new generation.'
Writing on Facebook on the morning of Aug 9, Singapore's Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said he welcomed Mr Zahid at Changi Airport.
'Our two countries share deep historical and cultural ties, and a friendship that has stood the test of time,' added Dr Balakrishnan.
Mr Zahid said he hoped his attendance would strengthen the longstanding relationship between Singapore and Malaysia, and that more doors of cooperation would be opened.
He also paid a courtesy call on PM Wong and held a bilateral meeting with Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong.
Mr Zahid said in a Facebook post on Aug 9: 'During this meeting (with DPM Gan), we agreed that the potential of Asean's large market should be fully utilised to boost bilateral trade.'
DPM Gan, writing on Facebook on Aug 9, said the pair discussed ongoing initiatives and partnerships between the countries, including the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone.
'We also talked about ways to develop closer bilateral ties between Singapore and Malaysia, as well as how to deepen integration within Asean, for the benefit of our region, businesses and people,' he added.
A day earlier, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng had received Sultan Bolkiah and his wife, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha, at Changi Airport.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Aug 8: 'Singapore is honoured by the presence of dignitaries from our closest neighbours at our milestone celebration.
'Their attendance underscores our shared geographic and historical ties, and reflects the enduring strength of our friendships.'
This is the first time since 2019 that foreign dignitaries have been invited to attend the NDP.
Back in 2019, Sultan Bolkiah, then Indonesian President Joko Widodo and then Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad attended the parade at the Padang to celebrate Singapore's bicentennial.
Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction
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