Malaysia-Singapore Relations: Issues and Strategies
MALAYSIA-SINGAPORE RELATIONS: ISSUES AND STRATEGIES
By
Rusdi Omar
Universiti Utara Malaysia/ Adelaide University rusdiomar@uum.edu.my rusdi.omar@student.adelaide.edu.au
ABSTRACT
Malaysia and Singapore relations are unique and special due to factors such as geography, history, politics, ideology, economy, culture and ethnicity. These factors sometimes have created tensions between both countries. Thus, this paper will analyze the current major issues, such as the price of raw water, the status of Pulau Batu Putih (Pedra Branca), Malayan Railway (KTM) Land in Singapore and the status of CIQ facilities in Tanjong Pagar, the repatriation from Singapore of pension funds of Malaysia employees, the use of Malaysian airspace by Republic of Singapore Air Force jets, replacement of the Johor Causeway and the Singapore’s land reclamation work, which distressing Malaysia-Singapore relations and try to find how to manage them for the benefit of both countries, in other word, based on the principles that would lead to “win-win” situation. Several strategies/efforts in improving and solving the bilateral relations between both countries will be discussed in this paper. Lastly, this paper will examine the state of bilateral relations between two countries in the current situation and their prospect in the new millennium
INTRODUCTION
Malaysia and Singapore relations are unique and special due to factors such as geography, history, politics, ideology, economy, culture and ethnicity. These factors sometimes have created tensions between both countries. The uniqueness of the relationship is perhaps reflected by the various terms used to describe the state of rivalry between the two countries such as “Siamese twins”, “sibling rivalry” or “family quarrel”, suggesting a complex love-hate relationship that has grown out of a shared common history and cultural background, coloured by political differences and, ironically, by economic competition and interdependency.
By
Rusdi Omar
Universiti Utara Malaysia/ Adelaide University rusdiomar@uum.edu.my rusdi.omar@student.adelaide.edu.au
ABSTRACT
Malaysia and Singapore relations are unique and special due to factors such as geography, history, politics, ideology, economy, culture and ethnicity. These factors sometimes have created tensions between both countries. Thus, this paper will analyze the current major issues, such as the price of raw water, the status of Pulau Batu Putih (Pedra Branca), Malayan Railway (KTM) Land in Singapore and the status of CIQ facilities in Tanjong Pagar, the repatriation from Singapore of pension funds of Malaysia employees, the use of Malaysian airspace by Republic of Singapore Air Force jets, replacement of the Johor Causeway and the Singapore’s land reclamation work, which distressing Malaysia-Singapore relations and try to find how to manage them for the benefit of both countries, in other word, based on the principles that would lead to “win-win” situation. Several strategies/efforts in improving and solving the bilateral relations between both countries will be discussed in this paper. Lastly, this paper will examine the state of bilateral relations between two countries in the current situation and their prospect in the new millennium
INTRODUCTION
Malaysia and Singapore relations are unique and special due to factors such as geography, history, politics, ideology, economy, culture and ethnicity. These factors sometimes have created tensions between both countries. The uniqueness of the relationship is perhaps reflected by the various terms used to describe the state of rivalry between the two countries such as “Siamese twins”, “sibling rivalry” or “family quarrel”, suggesting a complex love-hate relationship that has grown out of a shared common history and cultural background, coloured by political differences and, ironically, by economic competition and interdependency.