Call for S’pore to send teachers
PM requests for educators to teach English and other subjects in Malaysia

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has requested Singapore to consider sending their teachers to teach English and other subjects, especially in certain regions or areas in the country.

This was raised by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during discussions with his Singapore counterpart Lawrence Wong, who is here on an official visit.

“I am extremely pleased that Prime Minister Wong is prepared to look into this. This (request) is not something that we prepared through our officials.

“This proves that Prime Ministers can decide on something without their officials,” Anwar quipped at a joint press conference with Wong yesterday.

However, there are no details of the request.

The 51-year-old Wong, who was sworn in as the island republic’s fourth Prime Minister on May 15, was on his first working visit to Malaysia after assuming the post.

Anwar said both outstanding and ongoing issues were brought to the table for discussions, including the Johor-Singapore special economic zone as well as the special financial zone in Forest City, Johor.

He said both Wong and he also agreed to accelerate resolving outstanding issues between the two countries, including water agreement, maritime boundary delimitation as well as the flight information region (FIR).

Warm welcome: Anwar welcoming Wong at Seri Perdana in Putrajaya. The Prime Ministers were joined by their respective wives Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail and Loo Tze Lui. — Bernama

“We discussed these issues, which I believe can and should be resolved in the interest of future relations,” he said.

Anwar said under Wong’s leadership, Malaysia looked forward to healthy and strong relations that would benefit both countries.

“In this first meeting with Wong, I am deeply touched and impressed by how frank and friendly (our conversations are). I think we can be great friends,” he said.

Describing Malaysia’s relations and collaborations particularly in the last year as phenomenal, Anwar said both countries would benefit from having each other as great friends and neighbours.

“I say this without any qualms that we consider Singapore as a strategic economic partner.

“Yes, there are issues to be resolved but it would be of great benefit if we can showcase (our strong relationship) not just to the region but also to the world.

“Through practical steps, not only can we resolve issues but also seek new avenues of cooperation,” he added.

Noting the complexities of the outstanding issues between both countries, Anwar said what was important was for the issues to be resolved amicably and for the “nitty gritty” part to be ironed out.

“If you ask me about the timeline, I think it should have been resolved yesterday.

“The faster it is done, the better for us. It would be good if it can be resolved before the Leaders’ Retreat at the year’s end,” he said.
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has requested Singapore to consider sending their teachers to teach English and other subjects, especially in certain regions or areas in the country.