Minister denies travel advice

Tue, 20 May 1997, 00:00 WIB | Source: AFP

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.

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