S'pore told to disregard RI snipes

S'pore told to disregard RI snipes

SINGAPORE (Reuters): Singapore must not be intimidated by disparaging remarks made about it by Indonesian leaders, the Straits Times newspaper said on Wednesday.

"In responding to unreasonable remarks that border on the presumptuous, it is necessary for Singaporeans to show that they are not intimidated," the pro-government paper said in an editorial.

"As a sovereign and independent state, it is not going to bow to the unwarranted pressure that is being exerted on it."

Relations between Jakarta and Singapore have soured recently after Indonesian President B.J. Habibie described the city state as a tiny red dot on a map and accused Singapore of racism against its ethnic Malay population. His senior adviser Dewi Fortuna Anwar has described Singapore as a Chinese enclave.

Analysts have said Habibie resented remarks made by Singapore Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew early last year that market unhappiness with his appointment as vice president would trigger higher inflation and greater unemployment in Indonesia.

Singapore is dominated by ethnic Chinese and neighboring Indonesia by ethnic Malays. Indonesia has faced international criticism for violence against its ethnic Chinese minority.

The paper said the "unfortunate, unfair and indeed provocative" comments eroded three decades of close bilateral ties and happy co-existence, adding that Singapore must not lose patience "even as the baiting of Singapore turns into a ritual with predictable rhythms".

But it added the city-state would not go on the defensive in a way that could be mistaken for weakness.

Lee said last month more threats and accusations were to be expected in light of Indonesia's social and economic turmoil.