Maliki Osman on the importance of trust in international ties

Retiring minister also reiterates Singapore's position on Israel-Palestine issue

- Zhaki Abdullah

Over his decade in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Maliki Osman has tried to bring a personal touch to building relationships.

Among the ways he has tried to do so is by inviting foreign ambassadors to his home for Hari Raya celebrations, together with his friends, neighbours and community leaders, to help establish a sense of friendship.

Building such deep relationships helps establish a sense of trust, allowing Singapore to hold discussions with its foreign partners to negotiate new agreements and plans, said Dr Maliki, who is also Second Minister for Foreign Affairs.

"Because once you have trust, you know that you are working with a friend, you're not just working with a business partner," he said. "You know that these are people who have your mutual interests at heart.

"When you engage at the international level, you need to be sincere, honest and genuine, and that's what I have done over the last 10 years in the Foreign Affairs Ministry."

GALVANISING LIKE-MINDED PARTNERS

Dr Maliki — who was first appointed as Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in 2015 — was speaking to reporters in an interview at the MFA building on May 19.

On April 21, he announced his retirement from politics after 24 years, ahead of the 2025 General Election.

An assistant professor at the National University of Singapore's social work and psychology department when he joined politics in 2001 at the age of 36, he was part of a six-member team that won Sembawang GRC during the general election that year.

After first becoming a political office-holder in 2004 as Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Health, Dr Maliki served in various ministries, including the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of National Development.