Singapore calls for ties equals with KL<\/p>\n
SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore has called for a relationship of
\nequals with Malaysia, saying it should not be expected to play
\nthe role of a \"small brother\" to its larger neighbor, amid
\nstrained bilateral ties.<\/p>\n
Foreign Minister Shanmugam Jayakumar said the small city-state
\nwas committed to a \"long-term relationship with Malaysia based on
\nmutual respect, trust, reciprocity and mutual benefit.\"<\/p>\n
In a speech to parliament, reported here yesterday, Jayakumar
\ncited an editorial in a Malaysian Chinese-language newspaper
\nwhich wrote that Singapore, being a tiny island, should know the
\nimportance of maintaining good ties with neighbors.<\/p>\n
\"What the Chinese newspaper implied is, we should behave like
\na small brother,\" Jayakumar said in his speech yesterday.<\/p>\n
\"That cannot be the basis for a durable relationship between
\nsovereign nations,\" the foreign minister said.<\/p>\n
Ties between the two countries have been strained since March
\nover former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's description
\nof the Malaysian state of Johore as a place notorious for
\n\"muggings, shootings and car-jackings.\"<\/p>\n
The remarks sparked protests in Malaysia, prompting Lee to
\napologize twice and withdraw the remarks from a court affidavit
\nbacking his suit against a political opponent who fled to Johore
\nsaying he feared for his life here.<\/p>\n
Kuala Lumpur has declared that it would take time for
\nrelations to be restored to normal.<\/p>\n
\"During this squall, the (Singapore) government and the people
\nhave been calm, measured and restrained,\" Jayakumar told
\nparliament.<\/p>\n
\"We have not demonstrated on the streets. We have not hurled
\nobscenities at Malaysian leaders. We have not issued threats or
\npilloried Malaysians,\" the minister said.<\/p>\n
\"But as our MPs have said, it is important that our restrained
\nreactions should not be misread or misunderstood -- that we are
\nweak, that we can be intimidated or cowed, that only one side has
\nemotions and sensitivities.\"<\/p>\n
Predominantly ethnic-Chinese Singapore joined the mostly-Malay
\nMalaysian federation in 1963 as British colonial rule came to an
\nend, but the city-state was expelled just two years later amid
\nfriction over racial rights.<\/p>\n
Relations between the two countries have often been uneasy
\nsince then.<\/p>\n
Jayakumar said the two societies had evolved differently and
\nadopted different political styles and approaches in the 32 years
\nafter their separation.<\/p>\n
\"It is important to recognize these differences so that we do
\nnot misunderstand or misread each other,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said such differences were bound to spill over into
\nbilateral ties from time to time, adding: \"The question is:
\ndespite this complicating factor, can we work together for common
\nbenefit? The answer surely must be 'yes'.\"<\/p>\n
The minister said relations between Singapore and Malaysia
\nwere too important to be allowed to drift.<\/p>\n
\"Cooperation will benefit both Singapore and Malaysia. But it
\nmust be cooperation as equals and for mutual benefit,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Jayakumar's speech came near the end of the inaugural session
\nof Singapore's ninth parliament which was dominated by debate
\nover the strained relations with Malaysia, connected to this
\nisland of three million people by a causeway.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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