Singapore’s Consulate in Sabah Will Boost Development and Bilateral Ties

30 December 2025

KOTA KINABALU: Singapore’s decision to establish a consulate in Sabah is warmly welcomed.

Permanent Honorary President of the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) and President of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah, Tan Sri T. C. Goh said that once fully implemented, the move would significantly accelerate comprehensive development between Sabah and Singapore across all sectors, particularly trade, the economy and tourism, which are expected to see substantial growth.

He noted that Singapore’s decision to set up consulates in both Sabah and Sarawak was the result of positive consultations and consensus among the Malaysian federal government, the two East Malaysian state governments and Singapore.

The development, he said, is good news keenly anticipated by the peoples of both countries.

Tan Sri Goh expressed hope that the plan would be implemented as soon as possible, preferably with the consulates becoming operational as early as next year.

He also suggested that once Singapore establishes consulates in Sabah and Sarawak, the existing Sabah and Sarawak trade and tourism offices in Singapore could work closely with the consulates, playing a more proactive and mutually beneficial role.

Tan Sri Goh, who is also President of the Federation of Hokkien Associations Sabah & Labuan, made these remarks in a statement issued today following his invitation to attend the 98th anniversary celebration of the Singapore Yanling Wu Clan Association.

Other Malaysian leaders present included President of the Malaysia Wu Clan Associations Federation Dato’ Goh Ah Let, Honorary President Dato’ Goh See Lai, and Deputy Head of the Yanling Wu Youth Group, Goh Sui Sen, among others.

The banquet was held at Hwa Hwee Restaurant in Toa Payoh, Singapore. The organising chairman was Wu Kek Chai, President of the Singapore Yanling Wu Clan Association, while the association’s Honorary Adviser, Wu Soon Hee, served as the guest of honour.

Special guests and honorary advisers included Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Home Affairs and for Social and Family Development MP Wu Pui Ming; Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth and for Sustainability and the Environment MP Wu Han Yen; Member of Parliament for Mountbatten Wu Shi Qi; as well as clan leaders and representatives from Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. The atmosphere was lively and celebratory.

Tan Sri Goh said he fully welcomed and supported the decision announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at a joint press conference following the 12th Malaysia–Singapore Leaders’ Retreat held in Singapore earlier this month, during which Singapore confirmed it would establish consulates in Sabah and Sarawak.

He added that plans for the consulates had also been announced earlier in the joint statement following the 11th Malaysia–Singapore Leaders’ Retreat in January this year. Currently, Singapore maintains a High Commission in Kuala Lumpur and a Consulate in Johor.

According to Tan Sri Goh, the establishment of consulates in Sabah and Sarawak would enable Singapore to provide more effective consular services to its citizens in East Malaysia, while further strengthening people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

“This move symbolises the deepening of bilateral relations, particularly between Sabah and Singapore, and will bring long-term and positive development to exchanges in business, tourism, education and many other fields,” he said.