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.