Letter from SM Lee Hsien Loong to Tun Dr Mahathir Bin Mohamad on His 100th Birthday

Dear Tun Mahathir,

My warmest congratulations on the happy occasion of your 100th birthday, as well as Tun Dr Siti Hasmah’s upcoming 99th birthday!

As Malaysia’s longest-serving Prime Minister, your vision of a modernised and globally connected economy and society, as well as your bold policies and reforms, set the country on the path to becoming what it is today, and uplifted the lives of millions of Malaysians. Malaysia’s success owes much to your leadership and vision, and your relentless efforts to improve the lives of your fellow countrymen.

Singapore and Malaysia share a deep, multifaceted and longstanding relationship. We have not always seen eye to eye on every issue, but we have strived to overcome the differences and find constructive ways to cooperate as each other’s closest neighbours.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew worked with you to establish sound working relations between our two countries on a win-win forward-looking basis, despite the complicated historical background and the significant differences between our two societies. He concluded with you an agreement to build Linggiu Dam, which has increased the yield of the Johor River and benefited both Johor and Singapore. Mr Goh Chok Tong worked with you on many potential areas of cooperation, including improving connectivity between Malaysia and Singapore through the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link.

I myself have had the privilege of working with you during your second term as Prime Minister, to deepen ties between our countries. Despite an initial divergence in views, we worked out mutually acceptable arrangements to build the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link between Woodlands and Johor Baru. We also cooperated to manage several airspace and water matters, though both are long-term issues that our successors will continue to work on.

Regionally, you have championed ASEAN unity. During Malaysia’s Chairmanship in 1997, you hosted the Second ASEAN Informal Summit, which adopted “ASEAN Vision 2020”, setting out the grouping’s roadmap into the 21st century. That same year, ASEAN welcomed Lao PDR and Myanmar as Member States.

Opening the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in July 1997, you said that ASEAN Member States know that alone we each would suffer; only through being together could we maintain and benefit from our hard-won independence. Nearly three decades on, in a more troubled and dangerous world, this reality continues to guide ASEAN’s integration efforts.

Your decades of public service have made a lasting difference to Malaysia and ASEAN. Your legacies will benefit and inspire Malaysians for generations to come.

I also wish to express my appreciation to Tun Dr Siti Hasmah, for being an unwavering pillar of strength and support to you all your public life. Unfailingly gracious in our many interactions over the years, she has touched many deeply with her warmth and generosity. Even in her 90s, she still performed on the violin to raise funds for charity. Her commitment and leadership promoting social and health-related causes, including her strong advocacy for literacy and for maternal, child and mental health, have improved the lives of many Malaysians and inspired countless others.

On this joyful occasion, Ho Ching and I would like to wish you and Tun Dr Siti Hasmah many more years of happiness and continued good health.

Selamat Hari Lahir Tun dan Tun Dr Siti Hasmah. Semoga panjang umur, terus sihat dan ceria selalu serta dikurnia kasih sayang bersama keluarga dan insan-insan yang dikasihi.

Yours sincerely,

LEE HSIEN LOONG

20250710 - Letter from SM Lee Hsien Loong to Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad (pdf, 101.29KB)

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