S'pore told to disregard RI snipes<\/p>\n
SINGAPORE (Reuters): Singapore must not be intimidated by
\ndisparaging remarks made about it by Indonesian leaders, the
\nStraits Times newspaper said on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\"In responding to unreasonable remarks that border on the
\npresumptuous, it is necessary for Singaporeans to show that they
\nare not intimidated,\" the pro-government paper said in an
\neditorial.<\/p>\n
\"As a sovereign and independent state, it is not going to bow
\nto the unwarranted pressure that is being exerted on it.\"<\/p>\n
Relations between Jakarta and Singapore have soured recently
\nafter Indonesian President B.J. Habibie described the city state
\nas a tiny red dot on a map and accused Singapore of racism
\nagainst its ethnic Malay population. His senior adviser Dewi
\nFortuna Anwar has described Singapore as a Chinese enclave.<\/p>\n
Analysts have said Habibie resented remarks made by Singapore
\nSenior Minister Lee Kuan Yew early last year that market
\nunhappiness with his appointment as vice president would trigger
\nhigher inflation and greater unemployment in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Singapore is dominated by ethnic Chinese and neighboring
\nIndonesia by ethnic Malays. Indonesia has faced international
\ncriticism for violence against its ethnic Chinese minority.<\/p>\n
The paper said the \"unfortunate, unfair and indeed
\nprovocative\" comments eroded three decades of close bilateral
\nties and happy co-existence, adding that Singapore must not lose
\npatience \"even as the baiting of Singapore turns into a ritual
\nwith predictable rhythms\".<\/p>\n
But it added the city-state would not go on the defensive in a
\nway that could be mistaken for weakness.<\/p>\n
Lee said last month more threats and accusations were to be
\nexpected in light of Indonesia's social and economic turmoil.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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