SINGAPORE: Foreign
Affairs Minister K Shanmugam has said that both Singapore and Malaysia have no
interest in undermining the good relations between both sides.
Responding to recent allegations that Singapore diplomats
had actively participated in Malaysia's Bersih 3.0 Rally in April, he said that
some quarters in Malaysia are clearly uncomfortable by the current good state
of relations between the two countries.
Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Mr Shanmugam reiterated
that the allegations are false.
He said the Singapore officers were at the Bersih rally
as impartial observers, just like diplomats from more than 10 other countries.
He added it's regrettable that some elements in the
Malaysian media and blogs have chosen to focus only on Singapore and have
deliberately tried to misrepresent the issue.
Some articles were inflammatory with a racial slant.
Mr Shanmugam said the Malaysian government does not seem
to share the same views.
"These articles suggest that the Malay community
here can be persuaded to vote in a certain way. It's laughable because we have
every confidence in our fellow citizens," said Mr Shanmugam.
"I believe (it) does not reflect the (Malaysian)
government's views, shows a dangerous inclination to inject a racial angle into
bilateral relationships, and shows a continuing belief in some quarters that
our Malay population can be targeted from outside. That is a deliberate
provocation but we will not be baited by these negative elements," he
added.
Mr Shanmugam said he spoke with his Malaysian counterpart
Anifah Aman, over two separate phone calls.
He added Singapore and Malaysia have every intention of
preserving the positive bilateral relationship that both sides have worked hard
to build.
"We should also not allow any negative elements
uncomfortable with the current excellent state of bilateral ties to spoil our
relations," he said.
Mr Shanmugam added that bilateral ties have always been
bigger than any specific disagreements or points of contention, and this is how
both sides should move forward together.
- CNA/cc
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