Malaysia, S'pore play down diplomatic row

Malaysia, S'pore play down diplomatic row

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): A visiting Singaporean minister played down a diplomatic row with neighboring Malaysia on Monday, describing it as a "family" misunderstanding.

Community Development and Sports Minister Abdullah Tarmugi said remarks by Singapore's Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, which sparked anger across the causeway, were not intended "to put Malaysians or anyone down."

"As a family, sometimes siblings, in fact even husbands and wives have misunderstandings. This is quite normal," he told a press conference.

"This does not mean that the family will break up and will be enemies. In spite of misunderstandings the family will remain strong, will continue to exist."

Abdullah was speaking following a meeting with his Malaysian counterpart Hishammuddin Hussein after a fractious week in the often testy relations between the two states.

Goh, in a Jan. 21 speech, asserted that ethnic Malays are better off in his republic than in Malaysia. The comments speech sparked an angry reaction in Malaysia and Singapore's high commissioner was summoned to the foreign ministry.

Asked whether he had come to seek forgiveness, Abdullah said: "My purpose is to explain to Hishammuddin why the statement was made. The statement was made for our (domestic) consumption.

"It is to say that Malays are not marginalized (in Chinese- majority Singapore) ... there was no intention to put Malaysians or anyone down."

Abdullah said his two-day visit was planned before Goh's speech.

The premier raised hackles with his comment that "overall, our Singapore Malays fare well when compared with the Malaysian Malays."

Last Friday Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said Malaysia saw the statement as meddling in its internal affairs. Hishammuddin said he was hopeful the dispute would soon be overcome, adding: "There are bound to be hiccups (in the relationship) now and later.

"But what is important for us today is that we are ready to build the foundations for the future, notwithstanding the ups and downs in bilateral relations."

Singapore had said earlier that Goh was forced to speak out because the Malaysian media had in the past month run articles "which erroneously alleged" that Malays in Singapore were marginalized due to government discrimination.

Relations have been prickly ever since Singapore split from Malaysia in 1965 to become an independent state but in recent months both sides have tried to improve ties.

Malaysia's Deputy Premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is to pay a three-day visit to the republic from Feb. 7.

Ethnic Malays and other bumiputeras (indigenous races) make up about 63 percent of Malaysia's population, and Chinese about 25 percent.

Chinese make up 77 percent of Singapore's population, compared to 14 percent Malays.