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.