S'pore looks forward to constructive relationship with next Msia govt
Singapore looks forward to developing "an equally constructive relationship" with the next Malaysian leadership, and to work with it to take bilateral ties forward, benefiting both Singaporeans and Malaysians, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
The Republic has enjoyed good relations and close cooperation with its neighbour for many years, with successive Malaysian leaders, PM Lee said in a Facebook post yesterday morning.
"While Malaysian politics are for Malaysians to decide, Singapore wishes Malaysia all the best in its political development," he said.
Also posting on Facebook, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong saluted Dr Mahathir Mohamad "for his indomitable will and energy to right what he thinks is wrong with his country".
He added: "Watching Mahathir fight Malaysian GE14 reminds me of Lee Kuan Yew who famously said, 'Even from my sick bed, even if you are going to lower me into the grave and I feel something is going wrong, I will get up.'"
Led by Dr Mahathir, opposition bloc Pakatan Harapan (PH) won a surprise election victory over incumbent Barisan Nasional, headed by Mr Najib Razak, bringing its 61-year rule to an end.
"Many Singaporeans would have followed the news about the Malaysian election yesterday," noted PM Lee.
"It is clear that the outcome represents a major change in Malaysian politics. We are now awaiting the formation of a new government."
He added: "We are following the situation closely. As Malaysia's closest neighbour, we have a vested interest in Malaysia's stability and prosperity."
As for whether the historic election result will have any impact on bilateral relations, Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing said it is still "early days" to assess what it means for major joint projects such as the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail.
Construction of Singapore's end of the project is expected to start next year, following the inking of a pact in 2016. The Kuala Lumpur-Singapore express service is slated to start by 2026.
Dr Mahathir had previously said PH will review several "unnecessary" mega projects if it comes to power.
Mr Chan said on the sidelines of an event yesterday: "We have a longstanding and broad-ranging relationship with the Malaysians, and we expect the government of the day to continue to advance this relationship to the mutual benefit of both countries."
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam wrote on Facebook that the result represents "a clear vote for change in Malaysia".
"And it was across the board - Malays, Chinese, Indians and even the Dayaks in Sarawak. Wish Malaysia well, and hope we continue to work together for mutual good of our people."
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