SINGAPORE, July 23 — Singapore and Malaysia must not let issues become politicised and played up, or it will poison the relationship between the two nations, said Singapore Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
The ex-prime minister this could make things more difficult and be very damaging to both sides.
He said over the years, Singapore and Malaysia have had to deal with sensitive issues, such as water supply, airspace management, and maritime delimitation, which he expects will take some time to resolve.
“But … both sides have made significant progress in our relationship over the decades. We should appreciate how hard-won and precious this progress has been — both the specific things we have achieved, and the overall good state of our relationship. It is not at all to be taken for granted,” said Lee.
He was speaking at the Kuala Lumpur Business Club on Sunday as part of his visit to Malaysia. The transcript was made available on the Prime Minister’s Office website.
Lee said Singapore and Malaysia share a close but inherently complex relationship, so the two governments must take a strategic perspective and manage issues closely and sensitively from the point of view of the overall relationship.
He said three longstanding issues need hard work and serious discussion to identify workable approaches and accommodate each other’s vital interests.
“This is a difficult task, but even with such difficult tasks, it is possible to find constructive ways to make progress together, as we did with Pedra Branca, and the KTM Land.
“Even as we did with water when we made an agreement to build the Linggiu Dam, which has benefited both countries now for nearly 30 years,” he said, adding that there is a need to take into account domestic political sentiments that often make these issues even more complex and delicate.
Lee added that despite the complex nature of the relationship, both sides know they have to work together as there is no alternative.
Expressing his satisfaction with Malaysia-Singapore ties, the minister said he is glad that at the highest levels on both sides, Malaysia and Singapore have generally been able to keep the big picture in mind, and have made good progress, even if they have not always agreed on every issue.
Lee noted that he enjoyed good rapport with many Malaysian leaders, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and is glad bilateral ties are positive.
He is confident Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will work with Anwar to move the partnership forward, and said he will do all he can in his new role to strengthen bilateral ties and help forge new ones.
Singapore, he said, wants to grow the bilateral relationship and keep political relations stable and friendly, to foster a supportive business environment.
“The more stable the political atmosphere is, the easier it is for businesspeople to operate without having to worry about the ‘weather’. The more our two countries can keep things positive and stable, and the fewer political ups and downs there are, the more both our people will benefit,” he said.
— Bernama
