Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong SC and Malaysia Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (Law and Institutional Reform) Dato’ Sri Azalina Othman Said witness signing of MOUs between Singapore and Malaysia dispute resolution institutions

3 June 2026 Posted in Press releases

1.          Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong SC and Malaysia Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (Law and Institutional Reform) Dato’ Sri Azalina Othman Said witnessed the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) – one between the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) and the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC), and another between the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC) and AIAC.

2.          Under the MOUs, the institutions will collaborate to promote the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), jointly organise and participate in each other’s events, and share information.

3.          The MOUs build on discussions between the two Ministers on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting in Fiji in February 2026, where they explored ways to deepen bilateral cooperation in dispute resolution services. 

4.          Minister Tong said: “Malaysia is Singapore’s closest neighbour and one of our most important partners. We are pleased to deepen cooperation in alternative dispute resolution through these MOUs between SIAC, SIMC and AIAC. They reflect the strong ties between our legal and dispute resolution communities, and our shared commitment to providing businesses and investors with trusted, efficient and effective avenues for resolving disputes.

5.          As cross-border trade and investment continue to grow, collaboration between dispute resolution institutions becomes increasingly important. These partnerships will create more opportunities for exchanges, knowledge-sharing and joint initiatives, while strengthening the region’s dispute resolution ecosystem.”

6.          At today’s meeting, Minister Tong and Minister Azalina reaffirmed the close and enduring relationship between Singapore and Malaysia. They discussed areas of mutual interests, including the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, the Singapore Convention on Mediation, and strengthening people-to-people ties.

MINISTRY OF LAW

3 JUNE 2026

Last updated on 3 June 2026