Singapore-Malaysia relations enter ‘mature’ era with Tharman’s state visit

Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s first state visit to Malaysia this week comes amid strengthening ties between the neighbours and a greater willingness on both sides to let go of historical “baggage”, analysts say. Observers add that the new generation of Southeast Asian leaders also possesses a heightened awareness of mutual needs in an increasingly fragmented world order. Tharman, who was elected president in 2023 after stepping down as senior minister, is on a state visit to Kuala