Lee, Mahathir discuss new ties

Lee, Mahathir discuss new ties

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Singapore Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew said on Tuesday that both his country and Malaysia were keen to iron out differences on outstanding problems.

Lee, who is visiting Malaysia for the first time in a decade, said he had a positive two-hour meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Tuesday. Lee said it may take a few months to solve the problems and issues.

Relations between the neighbors have been strained at times, with land issues, Malaysia's supply of water to Singapore, and the withdrawal of Malaysian funds from the city-state's Central Provident Fund still key points of discussion.

Lee, prime minister of Singapore from its founding in 1959 until 1990 when he stepped down and was named the city-state's senior minister, remains a key adviser to Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and a frequent international emissary and spokesman of Singapore.