Malaysia, Singapore should end discord<\/p>\n
Malaysia's Acting Foreign Minister, Abang Abu Bakar Mustapha,
\nhas denied his government is to freeze bilateral relations with
\nSingapore. He conceded that Malaysian-Singaporean relations were
\ndiscussed in a cabinet meeting Wednesday, but said the outcome
\nwas not as reported by the media.<\/p>\n
We take a breath of relief on reading the official statement
\nissued by the government of Malaysia, with whom we not only have
\ngood neighborly relations, but are also cooperating in the
\ncontext of ASEAN. We can understand that the air has not yet been
\nentirely cleared and that some implications remain. But, in spite
\nof this, the latitude for preventing the situation from
\ndeteriorating further and to gradually restore normal bilateral
\nrelations seems to remain widely open and will stay that way.<\/p>\n
The problem is actually one between the former Singaporean
\nPrime Minister (Lee Kuan Yew) and his compatriot, the opposition
\nleader Tan Lian Hong, who is being charged with slander. In a
\ntestimony in court, Lee made remarks about the Malaysian state of
\nJohor, where his political adversary is at the moment staying.
\nThe Malaysians considered his remarks derogatory.<\/p>\n
The point we would like to underscore is that history and
\nproximity have ordained that relations between Malaysia and
\nSingapore cannot be just normal relations such as those that
\nexist between most other countries. They are much more closely
\nintertwined.<\/p>\n
It is possible that the situation will be more damaging to
\nSingapore if the present incident develops further and gets out
\nof hand. Malaysia, however, will also be in a difficult
\nsituation.<\/p>\n
The best thing to do, therefore, is to contain the incident --
\nand it is probably in this direction that the two countries will
\nbe moving. Lee Kuan Yew's apology can become the starting point
\nfor restoring relations, although this may take time. At the same
\ntime it is to be hoped that other leaders in Singapore can follow
\nin the same spirit.<\/p>\n
It is fortunate that there is cooperation within ASEAN.<\/p>\n
--Kompas, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/malaysia-singapore-should-end-discord-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }