S'pore urges Malaysia not to overreact to Goh speech

S'pore urges Malaysia not to overreact to Goh speech

SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore has urged Malaysia not to overreact to a speech by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong which Kuala Lumpur labeled as interference in its internal affairs, the Sunday Times reported.

Abdullah Tarmugi, Minister-in-charge for Muslim Affairs, said there was no intention to show up Malaysian Malays or imply they are inferior to their counterparts in Singapore.

Last Sunday, Goh rejected suggestions contained in a book by an Australian-based Singaporean that Malays in Singapore were marginalised and accused the Malaysian media of using the book as an excuse to comment negatively on the situation of Malays in Singapore.

He said 25 percent of Singapore's Malay workforce had upper secondary or higher qualifications compared to 14 percent in Malaysia in 1998.

Another 23 percent of Malay workers in Singapore held managerial and professional jobs in 2000, compared to 16 percent in Malaysia in 1998.

Chinese account for 77 percent of Singapore's population while malays make up 14 percent.

Goh's remarks triggered a barrage of angry reactions from across the causeway. Relations have often been testy since Singapore split from Malaysia in 1965.

Malaysia said the speech amounted to interference in domestic affairs and summoned Singapore's envoy in Kuala Lumpur to explain the remarks.

But Abdullah claimed the purpose in announcing the figures was to disprove "the contention that we are marginalised" in Singapore.

The latest verbal tussle came as both countries moved to seek a settlement of outstanding bilateral issues.

This includes the long-term supply of water to Singapore and the use of Malaysian air space by the Singapore Air Force.