Despite the bilateral issues, different societies and sibling rivalry, Mr Lee said both countries have no alternative but to work together.
“We can refuse to deal with each other, or engage in endless rounds of tit-for-tat. But that is not sensible, nor viable, for either side. We will give each other endless trouble; we will miss out on many opportunities for win-win cooperation. Neither of us will get any joy or benefit out of it,” he said.
“So I am glad that at the highest levels on both sides, we have generally been able to keep the big picture in mind, and have made good progress, even if we have not always agreed on every issue.”
“FULLEST SUPPORT” FOR MALAYSIA’S ASEAN CHAIRMANSHIP
Mr Lee said he is glad that during a time of transition to his successor Mr Wong, Malaysia-Singapore bilateral ties are stable and positive, with Mr Anwar also looking forward to a healthy and strong relationship with the new Singapore leader.
“I have every confidence that PM Lawrence Wong will work with PM Anwar to take our partnership forward,” he said.
“As Senior Minister, I now have a different supporting role. And I will do all I can in that role to strengthen ties further, and help forge new ones between our two countries.”
In an “increasingly troubled world”, Singapore and Malaysia “have every reason” to keep building their relationship, he said.
Global developments that make it much tougher for small countries to keep themselves safe include the conflicts in Europe and Middle East, and “great power contestation” between the US and China, Mr Lee said.
They have affected not just international trade or global supply chains, but also regional security that plays out in cross-strait tensions and in the South China Sea.
