PETALING JAYA: The sudden spate of remarks from Malaysia questioning the high-speed rail, stock trading link and water agreements lie in Malaysia's domestic problems and Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's own history with Singapore, says a Straits Times opinion piece.
The opinion piece by Nanyang Technological University S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies deputy Head of Policy Studies Adrian Tan Tai Loon and its Malaysia Programme Senior Analyst David Han listed out Malaysia's domestic concerns as one in which the Pakatan Harapan Government was trying to resolve the nation's debt, and implement institutional reforms.
The report said the remarks against Singapore could also be attributed to the changing political landscape in Malaysia.
It said this was because Malaysia was no longer ruled by a single party like Umno, just as Dr Mahathir was no longer in control over any political machinery.
Hence, Dr Mahathir will have to work through the Government's apparatus and work together with different component parties within the Pakatan coalition that may not agree with him on policies.
Additionally, it also said that Dr Mahathir too will have to consult its Pakatan partners on major issues as their focus would be on domestic issues and not foreign policy, unless the party was forced by circumstances.
The report added that the country will also be busy keeping tabs on issues such as the ongoing investigations into 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), the trial of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, the nation's economy and by making sure its civil servants remained loyal, efficient and effective.
The report added that Singaporeans and Malaysians should avoid viewing the relationship as one that is defined by any issue or a person, as the relationship between both countries is "multifaceted and has brought benefits to both countries".
"Also, Dr Mahathir's public statements are one thing, but foreign policy is another," it said.
It added that based on history of Dr Mahathir's attitude with Singapore in his first tenure as Prime Minister from 1981 to 2003, it was Dr Mahathir's personality and domestic political considerations that drove him when dealing with Singapore.
However, the report said that these personal motivations would probably be seen as much less in this new political climate.
Following this, the report said "with all bilateral relationships, there will always be complicated issues with no easy solutions".
The report called on both countries to focus on a shared future, including working together on a common purpose through Asean.
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