Middle East conflict will not affect Malaysia-Singapore ties: PM Lee

 

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has assured that the conflict in the Middle East will not affect Singapore and Malaysia’s bilateral ties.

While Singapore has diplomatic relations with Israel, Lee said the republic has made repeated statements and has condemned the conflict, violence and human tragedy of civilians as well as the massacre of innocent victims.

Although both countries do not have the same diplomatic relations with the countries in conflict, he pointed out that Malaysia has also made its position clear.

“Their (Malaysia’s) situation is not the same as ours because we have diplomatic relations with Israel, but at the same time, we have friendly relations with the Palestine authority.

“And Malaysia has very friendly relations with the Palestine authority, but you don't have diplomatic relations with Israel.

“So, the diplomatic situation is not identical, but there's no reason for that to cause difficulty between Malaysia and Singapore,” he said in a joint press conference with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

He was responding to a question about specific approaches that will be taken by both neighbouring countries to ensure that there are no spillover effects, especially on mutual investments and bilateral cooperation.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim

Meanwhile, Anwar pointed out that both Malaysia and Singapore have a common position in supporting the United Nations resolution of the need for a ceasefire.

“That (ceasefire) is, to me, very critical for now. And humanitarian assistance.

“That position is jointly endorsed by both countries and the majority of the countries in the world.”

Stronger position

Anwar asserted that Malaysia has taken a much stronger position in speaking out about the conflict, coining it as politics of dispossession.

“Countries cannot continue to colonise another part of the Palestinian land.

“But what is critical for now is, of course, peace and stopping the killings of civilians, babies and women.

“I have been in touch with many of the Arab leaders too and have expressed our position that we support a peaceful resolution, an immediate resolution of the conflict, but humanitarian assistance is paramount."