KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 11): Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will be on a two-day official visit to Singapore on the invitation of his Singaporean counterpart, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, starting tomorrow.

The visit, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is part of Dr Mahathir's high-level introductory visits to Asean countries after being sworn in as the 7th prime minister of Malaysia.

"The visit will provide the opportunity for both sides to exchange views on an array of bilateral, regional and international issues of concern; and explore prospects for further strengthening cooperation for mutual interest," the ministry said in a statement today.

Singapore is Malaysia’s second largest trading partner after China and total bilateral trade between the two countries in 2017 was RM220.88 billion, representing 12.9% of Malaysia’s global trade, the ministry added.

Dr Mahathir will be accompanied by his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, Minister of Economic Affairs Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, and senior officials from the Prime Minister's Office as well as Wisma Putra.

The premier will be meeting Singaporean leaders including President Halimah Yacob, Lee, and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. An engagement with the Malaysian disapora in the city-state has also been scheduled.