Saifuddin says Malaysia-Singapore ties very good

SINGAPORE (July 30): Malaysia and Singapore were looking to boost bilateral relations, but are currently at a very good level, said Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.

Bernama reported that he said both governments saw the High Speed Rail (HSR) project and the 1962 water agreement as issues to be dealt with, but were not a hindrance to good relations.

Saifuddin was sworn in as the new foreign minister on July 2, 2018.

Saifuddin said that the HSR and water issues were broached in his meeting with the Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and Prime Minister Lee.

"I tried my level best to explain the situation," he told Bernama.

"We are looking at the big picture ... As far as our bilateral relations (are concerned) ... our ties are strong and we want to work hard to bring it to greater heights," said Saifuddin.

On July 23, Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali had written to his Singaporean counterpart, to inform them that he would travel to Singapore to discuss the HSR matter.

"It will take place very soon," said Saifuddin of the meeting, adding that "I stated the fact that we want to sit down and discuss."

The previous government and Singapore had agreed to jointly undertake the HSR project, and discarding the agreement would incur a high rate of compensation. 

Regarding the water agreement, Saifuddin said:."There is a clause about a review that surely we can look at," he said to Bernama.

"I think proposals and counter proposals can be brought to the table when we have a proper discussion," he said.

He noted that discussions in the past had not resulted in progress.

"Surely we can continue the discussion. The agreement says the content of the agreement can be reviewed after 25 years. It doesn't mean at 25 years ... so we can continue talking.”

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said that the agreement is unfavourable to Malaysia, and has stated his intentions to renegotiate.