S'pore to be sensitive in ties with Malaysia

S'pore to be sensitive in ties with Malaysia

SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong called yesterday for sensitivity in bilateral relations with Malaysia, but said his country would stand up "firmly" when challenged.

Lee's remarks came in the wake of last week's comments by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad that Singapore was the source of negative rumors on Mahathir's health and Malaysia's markets chaos.

"We must manage this relationship sensitively to avoid causing unnecessary offense, and cooperate pragmatically for mutual benefit wherever possible," Lee said in a speech to educators.

"Yet we must stand up quietly but firmly for ourselves and for Singapore, especially when challenged," Lee added.

Mahathir had said: "From Singapore, you get three rumors a day and Malaysians react in full faith on those rumors ... Malaysians however are very good. They do not start rumors about Singapore."

Lee's speech made no reference to Mahathir's remarks, although he cited an example of the strain in relations when his father, Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew, made disparaging remarks earlier this year about law and order in the Malaysian state of Johore.

The remarks elicited an outburst against Singapore and the elder Lee, the former premier, apologized twice publicly and withdrew the comments.

"This episode showed how delicate our relations with our neighbors can be. A tempest may arise suddenly, even when things are apparently going well, and there is no intention of causing problems," the younger Lee said.

He also cited the financial crisis in the Asian markets as "the biggest development for the region which has still not run its course."

Singapore has weathered the Asian crisis better in comparison to its neighbors, which have suffered huge devaluations in their currencies and lower economic growth prospects.