Big challenge for younger leaders to sustain strong Singapore-Malaysia relations

Singapore

THE leaders of Singapore and Malaysia gave what could be described as a glowing report card on the current state of bilateral relations between the two neighbours on Tuesday at the end of their annual retreat.

This was the eighth time that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak had met for high-level talks, and the chemistry and banter at the post-meeting press conference at the Istana indicate that relations are strong and in good order.

They spent much time talking about the numerous ways in which their two countries are working together, be it on infrastructure, education, culture, security and counter-terrorism cooperation, and other fields.

As Mr Lee himself put it, the fact that Singapore and Malaysia have so many joint projects on their plate "is a sign of confidence in each other's future" and demonstrates the commitment to having good relations.

If this latest retreat had a theme, it would be that of cross-border connectivity.

The highlight was undoubtedly the signing of a bilateral agreement for the new Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link - a cross-border MRT service that will be ready by end-2024 and ferry thousands of people to and from Johor Baru and Woodlands.

This is the second legally binding cross-border rail agreement that Singapore and Malaysia have inked in the last 13 months.

At the previous leaders' retreat in Putrajaya in December 2016, a similar deal was signed for a high-speed rail that will reduce travel times between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to 90 minutes once the bullet trains are up and running by the end of 2026.

These are both long-term projects that involve more than one country and span multiple terms of government, and it was perhaps inevitable that the two prime ministers were asked to comment on whether these would still proceed if there were changes in the political environment on either side.

Mr Lee made the point that Singapore has every intention of implementing what it signed and committed to, and that is what future governments will inherit and be party to.

Mr Najib, who is due to call a general election in the coming months, said his government would offer an agenda to his people that is both "meaningful and productive", adding that there are tangible benefits if Singapore and Malaysia remained able to work closely together.

All things considered, while bilateral relations are healthy and on a stable footing, all eyes will be on how things will pan out in the coming years as the two neighbours push on with their individual plans.

Malaysia must go to the polls by August this year - although many political watchers expect it to be much sooner, possibly just after the Chinese New Year - while Singapore will witness a major Cabinet reshuffle soon that will, in all likelihood, finally unveil the identity of the country's next prime minister.

The big challenge ahead is for the younger ministers and office-holders from both sides - some of whom entered politics only one or two terms ago - to be able to work together, sustain the bilateral relationship and build on what previous governments have achieved over the years.

Singapore and Malaysia went their separate ways nearly 53 years ago, and by and large the two countries have been able to look beyond their many differences to work together for the mutual benefit of their people.

When the prime ministers meet for the next leaders' retreat in Malaysia at the tail end of 2018, it will be an opportune time for them - as well as their ministers and senior officials - to take stock of relations once again and chart the way for the next decade and beyond.

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