Najib's visit to the Lion City
2010-05-25 13:08
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(Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily)
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has visited a lot of countries since he took the office. But people would naturally associate his visits to Singapore with a lot of thoughts and feelings as Singapore used to be part of Malaysia.
Singapore has been taking a different path with Malaysia over the past 45 years since its withdrawal from the Federation of Malaysia on 9 Aug 1965. Singapore relied heavily on the Peninsular of Malaysia in its early days of independence, in terms of water supply, food and goods. But today, perhaps it is Malaysia that is relying on Singapore, particularly in terms of its rich capital.
During the 22 years when Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was the Malaysia Prime Minister, UMNO took Singapore as an imaginary enemy. A variety of issues were provoked and the bilateral relations were stalled. When Dr Mahathir imposed capital control in 1 Sept 1998 to freeze transactions in Malaysia shared traded at Singapore's Central Limit Order Book (CLOB) over-the-counter market, Singapore seemed to have determined to "draw a clear line" with Malaysia.
Firstly, in terms of water supply, Singapore developed the "Four National Taps" strategy. The Four National Taps referred to four resources of water supply, namely local catchment, imported water (from Johor), Newater (reclaimed water) and desalinated water. Secondly, Singapore imported sand from other countries, including Cambodia, to expand its coastline.
After the outbreak of the Nipah virus in 1998, Singapore banned the import of pigs from Malaysia and imported frozen pork meat instead. Singapore is now having more choices in terms of food and goods.
Therefore, it is not surprising when Singapore decided not to renew the first water supply agreement expiring next year with Malaysia, especially when Singapore is now able to be self-contained.
The two casino integrated resorts in Singapore have also affected the entertainment business in Johor Bahru. Singapore has now become a giant magnet.
After taking the office from Dr Mahathir, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi pursued a "friendly foreign policy" that actively improved the bilateral relations with Singapore. And Singapore was invited to participate in the Johor Islandar special economic zone development plan. Najib is also a pragmatic political leader. But Singapore is still observing. Singaporeans do not dare to invest yet as they are worried that Malaysian politics may change at any time.
Another visit to Singapore by Najib has reflected the sincerity of Malaysia. Singaporeans are kiasu (afraid of losing). As long as the investment plans are lucrative, they will come for sure. Therefore, it is crucial for Malaysia to first improve its investment environment.
After meeting with Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, Najib should also visit the country's new buildings, such as the S$226 million Marina Barrage that keeps out of seawater and forms a reservoir that provides water supply, flood control and a new lifestyle attraction.
Each country has its strengths and Najib should pay more visits to Singapore to gain some inspiration. It will benefit both the countries.
As Abdullah said when he was still in the office, we hope that the future bilateral relations between Malaysia and Singapore will be like "dropping ripe fruits that are free to be plucked".
Today, when we are still struggling with political turmoil, subsidy cut, social crimes, money politics and corruption, and introducing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and National Key Results Areas (NKRAs), Singapore has already been ranked the most competitive country in the world. Reality is just so cruel! (By LIM SUE GOAN/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily)
MySinchew 2010.05.25 Singapore has been taking a different path with Malaysia over the past 45 years since its withdrawal from the Federation of Malaysia on 9 Aug 1965. Singapore relied heavily on the Peninsular of Malaysia in its early days of independence, in terms of water supply, food and goods. But today, perhaps it is Malaysia that is relying on Singapore, particularly in terms of its rich capital.
During the 22 years when Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was the Malaysia Prime Minister, UMNO took Singapore as an imaginary enemy. A variety of issues were provoked and the bilateral relations were stalled. When Dr Mahathir imposed capital control in 1 Sept 1998 to freeze transactions in Malaysia shared traded at Singapore's Central Limit Order Book (CLOB) over-the-counter market, Singapore seemed to have determined to "draw a clear line" with Malaysia.
Firstly, in terms of water supply, Singapore developed the "Four National Taps" strategy. The Four National Taps referred to four resources of water supply, namely local catchment, imported water (from Johor), Newater (reclaimed water) and desalinated water. Secondly, Singapore imported sand from other countries, including Cambodia, to expand its coastline.
After the outbreak of the Nipah virus in 1998, Singapore banned the import of pigs from Malaysia and imported frozen pork meat instead. Singapore is now having more choices in terms of food and goods.
Therefore, it is not surprising when Singapore decided not to renew the first water supply agreement expiring next year with Malaysia, especially when Singapore is now able to be self-contained.
The two casino integrated resorts in Singapore have also affected the entertainment business in Johor Bahru. Singapore has now become a giant magnet.
After taking the office from Dr Mahathir, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi pursued a "friendly foreign policy" that actively improved the bilateral relations with Singapore. And Singapore was invited to participate in the Johor Islandar special economic zone development plan. Najib is also a pragmatic political leader. But Singapore is still observing. Singaporeans do not dare to invest yet as they are worried that Malaysian politics may change at any time.
Another visit to Singapore by Najib has reflected the sincerity of Malaysia. Singaporeans are kiasu (afraid of losing). As long as the investment plans are lucrative, they will come for sure. Therefore, it is crucial for Malaysia to first improve its investment environment.
After meeting with Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, Najib should also visit the country's new buildings, such as the S$226 million Marina Barrage that keeps out of seawater and forms a reservoir that provides water supply, flood control and a new lifestyle attraction.
Each country has its strengths and Najib should pay more visits to Singapore to gain some inspiration. It will benefit both the countries.
As Abdullah said when he was still in the office, we hope that the future bilateral relations between Malaysia and Singapore will be like "dropping ripe fruits that are free to be plucked".
Today, when we are still struggling with political turmoil, subsidy cut, social crimes, money politics and corruption, and introducing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and National Key Results Areas (NKRAs), Singapore has already been ranked the most competitive country in the world. Reality is just so cruel! (By LIM SUE GOAN/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily)
1 comment:
If we had done half of what Singapore had done over the past 45 years she will be dependent on us for many things. I hope that we learn from our mistakes. Even if we start today who knows our dream of subjugating Singapore will come true 50 years from now.
Just a thought. I do not think that we have the political will to get out of our present policies that have cteated this crutches mentality. We continue to promote this policy and even the Prime Minister who cteated this syndrome is given a prominent positions today.
There is only one way countries like Malaysia can even hope to join the ranks of developed nations. We must address the ills that are holding us back. I do not have to spell them out here we all know waht they are but we are in a grip of State of Denial that is so strong that it will destroy us in the end.
We are not that bad now. If we wake up and behave like a wise man who does at the beginning waht a fool does at the end we still do have a chance to make it.
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