Do you still remember a song called Benci Tapi Rindu by famous Indonesian singer Diana Nasution?
Relations between the two immediate neighbours, Singapore and Malaysia, have been like the situation described in the song about a love-hate relationship.
Seemingly, ties between Singapore and Malaysia have run into choppy waters over territorial waters. In just four days, the exchange between them has intensified, with Singapore Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan urging Putrajaya to “back off” from Singapore’s waters.
Ties between Singapore and Malaysia have always been difficult to understand and have not always remained on an even keel; in fact sinking to the lowest level during Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s administration from 1981-2003.
As neighbours, differences in perspectives and interests from time to time are natural. However, differences in opinion and spats should not escalate to unkindly words and gestures from leaders from both sides.
With the latest developments in bilateral relations, are we going to see a tit-for-tat or an eye for an eye?
But before we even think of that, let us reflect words in Matthew 5:38-42 in the New Testament, where Jesus repudiates even that notion. “Ye have heard that it hath been said, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
In fact an eye-for-an-eye and tooth-for-a-tooth concept would result in a world of the blind and toothless.
There were thorns in the flesh in the relationship between the two countries for over 55 years. Without doubt, ever since 1965, both governments had made serious efforts to resolve a number of contentious issues.
In fact, in 1988, Prime Minister TunD r Mahathir Mohamad and Lee Kuan Yew agreed to have all outstanding issues resolved as a package. But what happened to the agreement?
A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then. A number of issues including territorial waters, land, water, gas, and bridge are issues deemed as thorns in the flesh for both governments.
Tensions between Singapore and Malaysia were high during Dr Mahathir’s time, and the water row was one of the issues that contributed to the difficult ties.
Water prices have become a prickly issue in Singapore, which is due to hold elections by early 2021. Is this behind the current nationalist sentiments in the city state? A price hike last year led to a rare public protest against the government.
Is Singapore unreasonable and legalistic in her demands? Is the current spat going to be explosive? It all depends on how leaders in Putrajaya and in the city state handle the situation.
Singapore was once part of Malaysia in 1963 but they separated acrimoniously in 1965.
Currently, Singapore and Malaysia are embroiled in a maritime dispute after Malaysia extended its Johor Bahru port limits.
The dispute started with a declaration by Malaysia of an alteration to the Johor Bahru port limits on Oct 25 and Singapore protested the move, claiming it was done unilaterally.
Apart from that, Malaysia also wanted to reclaim its airspace in phases, which was managed by Singapore since 1974.
According to the Singapore government, there have been 14 intrusions by Malaysian government vessels into Singapore territory in recent weeks. They were described as “aggressive actions” by Singapore Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan on Thursday.
Both countries can’t afford to let ties deteriorate further. The current disputes should not ruin the long historical relationship. For the benefits of both sides, a win-win resolution that benefits all parties should be adopted.
The volatile situation should not be allowed to worsen as prolonging it will affect both sides in terms of economy, education, business, trades, politics and P-to-P relations. Remember, there are families and friends on both sides of the Causeway.
The maritime and airspace boundary disputes have to be resolved amicably in order not to jeopardise the ties further which have both short term and long term implications.
Total bilateral trade between the two countries has been increasing steadily. Similarly, cross-flow of investments has also improved in recent years. Are both sides prepared to see some negative repercussions?
According to independent education and research website World’s Top Exports, Singapore is Malaysia’s top trading partner. She imported the most Malaysian shipments by dollar value during 2017. The total amount was US$31.6 billion, accounting for 14 percent of total Malaysian exports as compared to $29.4 billion in imports by China.
It is pertinent for both Malaysia and Singapore to sit down and reach a common ground. They should avoid from engaging in war of words because it’s bound to create negative implications and effects.
Political leaders on both sides of the Causeway have to be sensible and mindful of how they use their words because unfriendly words may wound, which is difficult to heal.
With their economies and social relations intricately linked to each other, Singapore is Malaysia’s second largest trading partner. Yes, our economies are interdependent.
As of June this year, Singapore’s FDI stock in Malaysia amounted to RM120.9bil or 19.6 percent of Malaysia’s outstanding FDI, making it the largest foreign investor in Malaysia. On the tourism front, for example, Singapore remains Malaysia’s biggest source of tourists with almost 12.4 million tourist arrivals in 2017, accounting for about 60 percent of total arrivals.
Any long drawn spat is definitely going to affect both countries. Therefore, in a situation like this, wisdom should prevail. Therefore, negotiation and compromise should be achieved for the sake of maintaining good ties but sovereignty should not be compromised during the negotiations. This, of course, is easier said than done.
Both countries must avoid any hostile confrontation and further provocations should be eschewed. Dialogue and discussion are the best ways out. This approach has been used for more than half a century, which is why we have never gone to war with Singapore.
Speaking of war, remember the wise saying of John Steinbeck, an American author who won the 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature: “All war is a symptom of man’s failure as a thinking animal.”
Singapore is going to have its general elections next year. It remains to be seen whether or not the city state is going to flex its muscle and exploit the nationalistic sentiments.
Or are both countries going to tone down the political narratives to allow the disputes to be resolved in a more rational and wise manner?
Both sides have no choice except to adopt a win-win philosophy and strategy for survival.
As close neighbours, I strongly believe Singapore and Malaysia would like to maintain the stability, prosperity and security that they have enjoyed for more than five decades. Therefore, the governments should uplift and enhance the bilateral ties further for the benefit of both sides.
Associate Professor Dr Jeniri Amir is a lecturer and political analyst at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.
