On Jan 24, 11 Singporean Cabinet members led by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong attended the Chinese New Year celebrations in Johor Baru. The following day, their Malaysian counterparts headed by Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi crossed the Causeway for golf and plenty of good food in a move to strengthen ties at social and personal levels -- and between the two countries. WONG CHUN WAI examines the informal diplomatic approaches by both sides to improve relations.
WHEN the Cabinet Ministers of Malaysia and Singapore met for lunch on Sentosa Island, they unanimously agreed on one thing – the curry fish head and Chinese lotus root soup were very good.