Malaysia to discuss ties with S'pore

Malaysia to discuss ties with S'pore

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): The Malaysian cabinet is expected to take up bilateral ties with Singapore at its weekly meeting today following Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's return from Japan.

Sources close to the cabinet said Mahathir would ask his ministers for an explanation for the flap caused by reports -- leaked by some officials and later denied -- of a decision to freeze bilateral dealings during his absence.

"As he has indicated in Tokyo, he would want to know what actually transpired in the previous meeting," the source told AFP.

He said Mahathir "may also want to get feedback from the cabinet" regarding Singapore Premier Goh Chok Tong's latest statement on bilateral links.

The Malaysian media, quoting unnamed ministers, last week triggered diplomatic confusion and market jitters when they reported that the cabinet had decided to suspend new bilateral dealings with Singapore to show displeasure over disparaging remarks by the island's Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew.

Mahathir was on an official visit to Japan when the flak broke out and returned home over the weekend.

The Malaysian government officially denied the reported freeze but some ministers insisted that Kuala Lumpur intended to keep ties with Singapore "low key" amid lingering anger over Lee's remarks on southern Johore state.

Relations were strained last month after the publication of remarks by former premier Lee that Johore state, bordering Singapore, was "notorious for shootings, muggings and car- jackings."

Malaysian Deputy Premier Anwar Ibrahim, who chaired last week's cabinet meeting, said the cabinet reaffirmed its decision to normalize ties with Singapore and wanted Singapore leaders to reciprocate such a gesture.

Goh said on Sunday that Singapore wanted to" restore and improve cooperation at a pace that Malaysia is comfortable with."

The source said the "wound" from the unpleasant row still remained and that the Malaysian government was looking at Singapore to set the pace for bilateral relations to be normalized.

"Singapore's leaders must show their sincerity and be willing to proceed without being so arrogant or looking down on its neighbor," he said.

"Although there may be some competition, it must be healthy. Singapore must play its part as a neighbor," the source added.

Singapore broke away from the Malaysian federation in 1965. In recent years they have become economic rivals with fast- industrializing Malaysia steadily closing the wealth gap with the island.