Goh, who holds the cabinet position of senior minister after stepping down as prime minister in August, will travel to Kuala Lumpur this year for the first time in his extra role as a special envoy to Malaysia, the Sunday Times said.

Singapore and Malaysia have a history of strained relations dating back to their separation over racial tensions in 1965, and issues such as a territorial dispute over a rocky islet and water supplies continue to cause problems.

But ties have warmed considerably since Mahathir Mohamad stepped down as Malaysian prime minister last year, and the genial Goh has a warm relationship with Abdullah.

"I trust him and I hope he trusts me as well," the Straits Times quoted Goh as saying.

"And if we negotiate, if I tell him this is what I can do, this is what I can't do, and I propose to resolve it in a certain way, he can be sure that behind what I've offered, there'll be no tricks, nothing hidden.

"So this trust element is an important issue when you negotiate."

Aside from focusing on trust, Goh said he would not reveal anything else about his upcoming talks with Abdullah as both sides had agreed not to negotiate through the press.

"It's a sensitive process, as you can appreciate. So it's best that I meet Mr Abdullah privately," he said.

The report did not give an exact date for the meeting.

Goh was named as a special envoy to Malaysia this month when his successor as prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, visited Kuala Lumpur.

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