Najib: No more 'confrontational diplomacy' with Singapore

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (pic) says Malaysia does not want to return to "confrontational diplomacy and barbed rhetoric" when conducting bilateral relations with Singapore.

"We believe the position of the current government is one that brings mutual benefits to both Singapore and Malaysia.

"We stand by our policies, our agenda and our ability to deliver real and tangible benefits to the people of Malaysia and Singapore," he said at a joint conference with Singapore prime minister Lee Hsien Loong after the eighth Singapore-Malaysia retreat here Tuesday.

The two leaders were asked how the two governments could ensure that projects undertaken by Malaysia and Singapore would not be affected by political changes in view of the coming general election.

Najib said while he could not determine what the electorate would decide, the Barisan Nasional government offered an agenda that is meaningful and productive.

"We live in a democracy and the people will decide.

"We have good relations with our neighbour, Singapore, and we have proven that we can work closely together – that is the position of our Government.

"The other side may have other ideas, but we certainly do not want to return to the era of confrontational diplomacy and barbed rhetoric between our two countries.

"It was an era that we want to forget, we certainly do not want to go back to that," he added.

Lee said Singapore has every intention to implement what it had signed with Malaysia.

"Like all projects involving more than one country and spanning more than one term of government, it requires long-term commitment. This commitment is formalised.

"The agreement which we signed between the two governments today is a binding agreement and whoever is the government on either side, this is an agreement which they inherit and they are a party to it," said Lee.