Minister denies travel advice

Minister denies travel advice

SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore is not discouraging its citizens from visiting Malaysia but some may feel unwelcome there after a recent diplomatic row, a senior cabinet member said in remarks published yesterday.

"We do not tell them where to go and where not to go," the Straits Times quoted Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng as saying amid reports that some Singaporean tour groups will skip Malaysia during next month's school break in favor of Thailand and Indonesia.

But Wong said Singaporeans "also have emotions and sensitivities" and "when they feel that others are hurling abuse at their leaders, I think they will not feel comfortable going to a place where they do not feel welcome."

A diplomatic row broke out in March after disparaging remarks by Singapore Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew about Johore were played up in the Malaysian press, forcing Lee to apologize publicly and withdraw the comments.