Malaysia-Singapore Relations Progressing Well - Ng Yen Yen

Why should someone believe in what she say about Malaysia? You should believe her because she's not afraid of being sacked from the government. The worst is just migrate to Australia and enjoy the rest of her remaining life there.

Geez. All sorts of people in the cabinet.

Malaysia-Singapore Relations Progressing Well - Ng Yen Yen


SINGAPORE, Dec 4 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's relations with Singapore have progressed well since Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took office as Prime Minister about four years ago, Malaysian Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen said today.

She said the cordial relations had come to a stage where there was now an easy camaraderie among the leaders on both sides of the causeway.

Addressing a special luncheon organised in conjunction with the Singapore-Malaysia Business Forum held here, she said the good relations between the two neighbours were the result of Abdullah's commitment towards working through all outstanding bilateral problems.

She said Abdullah set the tone of the relationship of the two countries when he first visited Singapore in January 2004 and since then both countries had worked well together at various levels.

Ng also said the depth of Malaysia-Singapore relations were unmatched within Asean and besides their common cultural and historical bond, they were also underpinned significantly by commercial and people-to-people linkages.

She said that improved relations between the two countries covered various areas such as trade and investment and defence-related activities, particularly against terrorism.

The deputy minister said trade links between the two neighbours remained strong, with Singapore maintaining its position as Malaysia's second largest trading partner after the United States last year.

Singapore was also Malaysia's largest export market for goods in Southeast Asia, accounting for 54.4 per cent of Malaysia's total trade volume, she said.

Likewise, Ng said Singapore had significant investments in Malaysia last year which totalled US$513.3 million mainly in the areas of electrical and electronics manufacturing, food manufacturing, fabricated metals and machinery as well as chemical products.

She added that Malaysian investments in Singapore were even larger for the same year at US$1,284.7 million, mainly in the fields of finance, insurance, commerce, real estate, manufacturing, transport and storage and ICT.

Ng said although their economies were complementary, Malaysia and Singapore were also commercial rivals.

However, she said, in today's complex and globalised economy, both countries should work together in promoting cooperation while harnessing their competitive advantages for their mutual benefit.

-- BERNAMA