Mahathir comments irk Singaporeans

Mahathir comments irk Singaporeans

SINGAPORE (Reuters): Singaporeans have reacted with irritation
at suggestions by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad that
they were the source of negative rumors about Malaysia.

"Don't scapegoat us, Dr Mahathir" was one headline on the
front page of Singapore's pro-government Sunday Times.

Mahathir said on Thursday many of the rumors swirling around
Malaysia's financial markets originated in Singapore.

"From Singapore you get at least three rumors a day and
Malaysians react completely (to them)," he said. "Malaysians are
very good. They never start any rumors. But Singapore, they only
start rumors about Malaysia."

Malaysia's financial markets have plunged in recent months in
what the leading opposition party has called a "crisis of
confidence".

Singapore's Sunday Times quoted Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan
Seng telling reporters that Singaporeans should react calmly to
Mahathir's allegations.

"I think many Singaporeans are probably very unhappy about
being blamed for problems in Malaysia. No doubt some of them are
outraged by these comments about Singapore," Wong said.

"But Singaporeans should take it in their stride, understand
the difficulties that Malaysia is facing, and be calm about it
and not overreact," he said.

Singapore's Business Times newspaper on Saturday quoted one
Singapore businessman as saying:
"He's looking for a scapegoat, and traditionally Singapore has
been the whipping boy. First it was (George) Soros, then it's the
Jews and the U.S. government, and now its our turn. Politically,
it goes down very well with his Malaysian audience."

Singapore and Malaysia have had a love-hate relationship in
recent times, despite their growing economic interdependence.