Singaporeans shun Malaysia

Singaporeans shun Malaysia

SINGAPORE (Reuter): Singapore community groups linked to the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) are boycotting Malaysia for vacations following tension between Singapore and its northern neighbor, the Sunday Times said.

The newspaper said "grassroots bodies" -- PAP-linked residents committees and local community organizations -- were avoiding Malaysia to show support for Singapore, for Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew and to avoid being attacked.

Relations between Singapore and Malaysia took a dive earlier this year after Lee, Singapore's former long-time prime minister, made disparaging remarks about the southern Malaysian state of Johor.

Malaysian trade minister Rafidah Aziz called for a "media war" against Singapore after the Singapore daily Straits Times published a report about levels of crime in Johor.