KL needs new strategy for S'pore<\/p>\n
Azmi Hassan, Professor, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, The Strait Times,
\nAsia News Network, Singapore<\/p>\n
The leadership transition in two neighboring countries, Malaysia
\nand Singapore, is taking place as if there is agreement between
\nthe two heads of government.<\/p>\n
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad will be
\nrelinquishing his post to Abdullah Ahmad Badawi this October.<\/p>\n
This is not a surprising scenario because ever since Abdullah
\nbecame Deputy Prime Minister, Malaysians have known he is the
\nmost qualified to succeed Mahathir.<\/p>\n
In Singapore's case, it is a little unique as the leadership
\nselection process is planned in detail to ensure that the
\ndecision is carried out smoothly.<\/p>\n
When former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew relinquished his
\nposition in 1990 to Goh Chok Tong, many thought that this was
\njust a shadow or temporary appointment to warm the seat before
\nthe reins were handed over to Lee's son, Lee Hsien Loong.<\/p>\n
The perception was reinforced by the appointment of Lee Kuan
\nYew as Senior Minister in Goh's Cabinet.<\/p>\n
Now after 13 years, the assumptions are borne out.<\/p>\n
When delivering Singapore's National Day Rally speech, Goh
\ndiscussed openly his successor, Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Lee
\nHsien Loong. There is a huge possibility that he will take over
\nfrom Goh as PM in 2005, two years before the General Election is
\ndue to be held. Goh said because the new leader would need time
\nto win the people's trust and confidence, a power transition
\nshould be carried out earlier.<\/p>\n
Just like how the leadership styles of Mahathir and Abdullah
\nare different, the leadership styles of Goh and DPM Lee are also
\ndifferent.<\/p>\n
Goh's leadership is considered friendlier and he is willing to
\naccept the views of others, unlike the senior Lee who is seen as
\nmore firm and hard. Although DPM Lee may not share all of his
\nfather's leadership characteristics, he is also said to be firm
\nand hard. And unlike Goh's technocrat background, the younger Lee
\nhas wide experience in the military field. Before entering
\npolitics in 1984, he was in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) for
\n13 years and retired as a Brigadier-General.<\/p>\n
Just as Singapore has likely drawn up a strategy to deal with
\nAbdullah as the future PM of Malaysia, Malaysia too should draw
\nup a strategy to deal with the younger Lee.<\/p>\n
This is because the strategy practiced in Goh's era may not
\nwork any more.<\/p>\n
If we were to study Malaysia's way of handling problems
\narising from the water pricing issue and the Gerbang Selatan
\nBersepadu development project, basically Malaysia is on the right
\ntrack.<\/p>\n
Malaysia's decision to resolve the water pricing problem via
\narbitration is wise; if the issue is left to drag on, especially
\nwhen the younger Lee becomes PM, Singapore would likely continue
\nto enjoy water at three cents per 1,000 gallons until 2061.<\/p>\n
Malaysia's decision to proceed with the GSB development
\nproject without Singapore, and the construction of a crooked
\nbridge to replace the Malaysian side of the Causeway, is seen as
\na classic strategy in dealing with Singapore's new leadership.<\/p>\n
The RM 1.1 billion (Malaysian ringgit) GSB project involving
\nthe construction of the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine
\ncomplex (CIQ), JB Sentral Terminal, and the road and rail bridge,
\nare critical, not just for Johor's economic progress, but also
\nfor that of Malaysia.<\/p>\n
Singapore will be in an uncomfortable position when GSB's
\nconstruction is fully completed.
\nThis is because the demolition of the Malaysian side of the
\nCauseway will be good for Johor's two main ports -- Pasir Gudang
\nPort and Port of Tanjung Pelepas -- as cargo movement between the
\ntwo ports will be more efficient along the sea-lane.<\/p>\n
However, what is more important is that GSB's development can
\nrestore the echo-system at the Tebrau Straits, with water flowing
\nmore freely. This is critical in determining the success of the
\nDanga Bay and Lido Beach projects.<\/p>\n
Both projects take up 1,600 hectares, and have the ability to
\nturn Johor Baru town into a beautiful waterfront city like those
\nof Sydney, San Francisco, Vancouver and Venice.<\/p>\n
Singapore does not want this to happen as it may be
\ndetrimental to the Republic's economy if too many Singaporeans
\nflock to Malaysia.<\/p>\n
According to a periodic survey by Singapore Press Holdings,
\nafter Australia, Malaysia is the second-most popular destination
\nfor Singaporeans wanting to emigrate after they retire.<\/p>\n
This scenario may be similar to what happened in Hong Kong.<\/p>\n
China's Shenzhen, which is close to Hong Kong, is the main
\nattraction of Hong Kongers who like shopping and food.<\/p>\n
Although various restrictions were imposed, making it
\ndifficult for Hong Kongers to visit Shenzhen, the efforts failed
\nas the attraction was too strong. What happened in Hong Kong's
\ncase may also happen to Singapore.<\/p>\n
This is something which the future leadership of Singapore may
\nhave to face.<\/p>\n
With 85,000 unemployed Singaporeans -- unemployment rate at
\n4.5 percent -- and the losses suffered by Singapore's two
\neconomic pillars, Singapore Airlines and PSA Corporation, it is
\ncertain Singapore's future leadership will draw up several
\nstrategies to prevent money from flowing out.<\/p>\n
Soon, Malaysia will face various pressures and intense
\ncompetition from Singapore as the leaders there will do anything
\nto salvage their national economy from plunging.<\/p>\n
Malaysia should be prepared to face this challenge.<\/p>\n
The writer is journalist of Berita Harian (Malaysia).<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kl-needs-new-strategy-for-spore-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }