War between Singapore and Malaysia?

Will there be war ... of sorts, not of the military type ... between the two nations?

since Singapore was expelled from Malaysia, relations have not been good until in recent years when Najib and Lee Hsien Loong became chummy

now that Mahathir is back again as PM, will the relationship once again nose-dive?

Mahathir had previously shown from his PM records of 1981 to 2003 that he disliked Singapore immensely. And he is now confirming that impression by making a few unfriendly-to-Singapore actions, statements and gestures since becoming the PM after GE14, as follows:

(1) Suggesting that Singaporeans may want to follow Malaysians in rejecting the old establishment, to wit, by voting out PAP from ruling Singapore, wakakaka.

This is hardly the correct thing to say in public, but it shows that Mahathir couldn't resist poking the Sing government in the nose whenever he can/could, wakakaka.

In fact, by world standards it's outrageous gross interference in the internal affairs of another sovereign nation, and a cause for real war, a casus belli, if Singapore so chooses.

(2) Saying Malaysia will build an island out of the Middle Rocks. International observers have said Malaysia’s plans for Middle Rocks could set back bilateral ties.

MM Online reported (extracts only):

Malaysia has constructed a maritime base on Middle Rocks comprising a jetty linking the two main outcrops, a lighthouse and a helipad. The base lies close to Singapore’s Pedra Branca, which can be seen at the bottom of this photo. — TODAY file pic

ISEAS’ Mustafa [Mustafa Izzaluddin, a fellow at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute], however, said: “It would be diplomatically prudent to discuss this bilaterally with Singapore as Middle Rocks is in close proximity to Pedra Branca and there is a need to delimit maritime boundaries, which was the function of the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Technical Committee convened to implement the ICJ judgement.”

Professor James Chin, a Malaysia expert from the University of Tasmania, said that building some sort of permanent settlement on maritime features like Middle Rocks is “actually very common among countries which want to assert their sovereignty”.

“Of course, it will impact the relationship (with Singapore), but there is nothing Singapore can do as long as the construction is on the Malaysian side,” he added.

“This will be seen as a provocative act and will be at the back of the minds of Singapore diplomats whenever they have to negotiate anything with Malaysia.”

Associate Professor Kevin Blackburn, a historian at the National Institute of Education, added that Malaysia’s move to make Middle Rocks an island “would most likely create misunderstandings and not be good for the (bilateral) relationship”.

He added that it does not augur well for bilateral ties.

But that is the old Mahathir who apparently has NOT changed from his aggressive acrimonious confrontational mentality when it domes to any dealings with Singapore.

Many suspect Mahathri bore and still bears severe  grudges and prejudice against Singapore because:

(a) of jealousy against Singapore's development, progress and First-World performances,

(b) his age-old rivalry against the now late Lee Kuan Yew where LKY seemed to have always come up tops, apart from the late LKY always being so arrogant against the Malaysian government and its rule, 

(c) maybe his humongous anger at Najib selling off KTM land when for ages he frustrated the Sings by refusing to sell that land,

(d) the water debacle where Sing is selling back to Malaysia treated water at a price not commensurate with the pittance the Island State pays Malaysia for untreated Malaysian water,

(e) the sorry sad story of the crooked bridge where Sing again frustrated him,

(f) previous EPF/CPF issues,

(g) loss of Pedra Branca to Sing,

(h) etc etc etc inclduing rumours of his young days when he was studying at university in Sing.

(3) announcing his cancellation of the HSR project but without even informing the Sing of his intention.

Since signing the contract for the HSR, Sing's original plan in conjunction with the HSR is in serious financial jeopardy.

Sing had wanted to build a second Central Business District at the western suburb region of Jurong. It has also removed the Tanjong Pagar Terminal port and relocated that to Tuas, in anticipation of the HSR development in Jurong.

Sing has paid out tens of billions acquiring over 12 hectares of land from a golf club and several residential developments.

Outside the government sector, investors had poured millions in property and commercial investments.

The Sing state media said the land would likely be left vacated until Malaysia “re-visits” their decision on the HSR when their financials improved.

Yesterday, Sing Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan (an ex-Malaysian, wakakaka) openly threatened Malaysia, vowing to make Malaysia pay for expenses in addition to the contracted compensation clause of US$125 million.

a Penang lang who studied in Chung Ling and ACS (now called MBS, my alma mater, wakakaka) 

He said:“Should Malaysia cancel the project, Singapore will study the implications and exercise its rights – including any right to compensation for expenses – in accordance with the terms of a bilateral agreement signed in 2016.”

He has also been annoyed that Malaysia has not bothered to respond to his request for clarification when each and everyday Sing is incurring high expenses for the yet-to-be officially-notified cancellation.

But it's all vintage Mahathir who loves to see Singapore squirm and who BTW doesn't give a sh*t about bad relationship with Sing.

It's said that when old men make mistakes, young men may die. Let's hope we don't ever come to that.