Singapore Set to Establish Consulate in Kota Kinabalu

23 January 2026

KOTA KINABALU: Singapore is expected to open a consulate office in Kota Kinabalu by the middle of this year.

Singapore’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, Vanu Gopala Menon, said the establishment of the consulate aims to strengthen bilateral relations and strategic cooperation between Singapore and the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak.

“During this visit, we have surveyed several potential locations for the consulate and will be making a decision within the next few weeks,” he said after paying a courtesy call on the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah, Tun Musa Aman, at Istana Seri Kinabalu on Friday.

He explained that the visit to the Yang di-Pertua Negeri followed the Malaysian Government’s approval in November 2025 for the establishment of Singapore’s consulates in Sabah and Sarawak.

The initiative is expected to enhance economic, tourism and trade cooperation, as well as attract greater investment from Singapore into Sabah.

Commenting on the tourism sector, he said Singapore and Sabah have strong potential to collaborate in promoting the state as a key tourist destination during Visit Malaysia Year 2026, by leveraging world-class natural attractions such as Sipadan Island, the Maliau Basin and the Danum Valley.

Also present were Singapore’s Deputy High Commissioner Shivakumar Nair and Political Secretary Nicole Neo.