The diplomatic tradition of the ‘Open House’ has been renewed for the end of Ramadan
Two senior members of Singapore’s cabinet took part in the traditional “Hari Raya Open House” of the royal family of Johor, Malaysia, consolidating a decades-long diplomatic ritual between the two Asian neighbors.
The Minister of Social Development and Family, Masagos Zulkifli, and the Minister of Education, Desmond Lee, accompanied by their respective wives, were received for lunch at the royal palace by the Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, and his wife, Princess Che’ Puan Mahkota Khaleeda.
The visit is part of the historic custom of Singapore’s leaders to pay homage to the royal family of Johor (one of the nine Malaysian states, located right on the border with the city-state) during the Idul Fitri celebrations, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The royal family of Johor, led by Sultan Ibrahim (currently also King of Malaysia according to the country’s rotation system), enjoys a privileged and long-standing relationship with the institutions of Singapore, often acting as a diplomatic bridge between the two nations. A spokesperson for Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that the meeting was an opportunity to discuss the “multifaceted cooperation” between the two sides. The dialogue touched on topics of mutual interest, strengthening the economic and social ties that unite Singapore and the State of Johor, a crucial hub for cross-border trade and logistics.
