Singapore leader Lee Hsien Loong thanks Malaysian queen for ‘royal’ sambal belacan

Unknown to many, spicy shrimp paste has played a pivotal role in strengthening the ties between Malaysia and Singapore

Tunku Azizah disclosed that she was, for a time, the ‘official supplier’ of the shrimp paste to the republic’s founding father

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Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Photo: AFP

Published: 11:30am, 29 Oct 2019Updated: 11:59am, 29 Oct 2019

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong expressed his appreciation to Malaysian Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah for sending special “sambal belacan” (spicy shrimp paste) to his family throughout these years.

“Thank you for your warmth and kindness, sending my father (and me) your special sambal belacan all these years!” Lee tweeted.

“I hope you enjoy making it as much as we enjoy eating it!” said Lee, ending his post with a smiley emoticon.

Unknown to many, “belacan diplomacy” has been instrumental in strengthening the ties between Malaysia and Singapore.

This matter came to light when Tunku Azizah on October 25 shared the secret of how her home-made sambal belacan was a hit with the late former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew.

In her tweet, Tunku Azizah disclosed that she was, at one time, the “official supplier” of sambal belacan to Lee Kuan Yew.

In fact, she still supplies sambal belacan to the republic. The sauce is now enjoyed by Lee Kuan Yew’s son and current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.