KL, Singapore to narrow gap in thorny ties
KL, Singapore to narrow gap in thorny ties
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia and Singapore agreed on Thursday to work towards narrowing their differences as Kuala Lumpur sought its neighbor's help to raise funds amid the economic crisis.
Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong made a surprise visit here and held nearly two-hour talks with his Malaysian counterpart Mahathir Mohamad to discuss often thorny relations which hit a new low in recent months.
Mahathir told a joint news conference they had not reached a new pact on water supplies to Singapore but Malaysia agreed to relax restrictions on the use of its airspace by the Singapore air force.
Asked if the two countries will now focus on improving often stormy ties, the Malaysian leader said: "We hope so ...
"We talk about how we can improve our relations with each other. We talk specifically about how Singapore can be of help to Malaysia during this economic crisis," he added.
Goh acknowledged that discord may arise between the two countries occasionally but stressed that "what is most important is to narrow the gap of differences and work to maximize common area decisions.
"And where we could agree, we will agree and where we disagree on certain things, we agree to come back tomorrow," he said.
The Singapore premier said he last met Mahathir in April in the Malaysian southern state of Johore to discuss issues of mutual concern and that Thursday's talk was "to resume discussions."
The meeting, proposed by Mahathir, was held at a special building at the new Kuala Lumpur airport on the outskirts of the capital and followed by lunch before Goh departs, officials said.
During the talks, Mahathir also sought help from Goh for his government's assistance to raise funds in the republic.
"We will need to raise some funds in Singapore. Singapore has promised to negotiate on how best they can be of help," he said. "Singapore can be of help to Malaysia during this crisis."
Malaysia is mired in its first recession in 13 years, but the government hopes for a rebound and projects a 1.0 percent growth in 1999.
Mahathir did not disclose how much the government plan to raise in Singapore and Goh said details on Malaysia's proposed fund-raising exercise in the republic would be discussed at a later stage.
On water supply to Singapore, Mahathir said officials from the two sides would meet later to follow up the issue. Singapore's two water agreements with Malaysia will expire in 2011 and 2061 respectively.
"We are still trying to determine how much water is required by Singapore and how we can meet the requirement," he added.
Mahathir said Malaysia had relaxed its restrictions to allow Singapore's air force jets to enter Malaysian airspace for search and rescue operations.
"On airspace, for search and rescue operations, immediate permission will be granted. They don't have time to send by foot," he added.
Accusations of Singaporean intrusions into Malaysian airspace have sprung up after Kuala Lumpur unilaterally terminated a blanket permit for Singapore air force jets to fly over its airspace last month, creating a fresh source of discord between the two neighbors.
Economy -- Page 10