KL, Singapore ties turn sour

KL, Singapore ties turn sour

KUALA LUMPUR (AP): A row between Malaysia and Singapore over the shift of a joint customs and immigration post turned uglier yesterday with more Malaysian officials joining in a tirade against its neighbor to the south.

Information Minister Mohamed Rahmat accused Singapore's media of launching a "hate campaign" while Education Minister Najib Abdul Razak described Singapore as "arrogant," newspapers reported yesterday.

Singapore relocated its railroad immigration facility last Saturday, despite Malaysia's refusal to go along. Train services are running smoothly between the two countries, but Malaysian officials complain it takes longer because passengers now have to get off twice for immigration checks.

"Why did they find a time such as now, when the country is facing an economic slowdown and other problems?" Malaysian Transport Minister Ling Liong Sik was quoted as asking in the Star.