Regional implications of leadership change in Singapore

Producer: Melanie Yip
First broadcast: 19 July 04, Radio Singapore International

Observers watch leadership transitions in any country with interest, to assess their impact on the domestic, regional, and international fronts.

So, would the impending leadership change in Singapore have an impact on the bilateral ties with our neighbor, Malaysia?

A question Melanie Yip put to Dr. K S Nathan (KSN), Senior Fellow at the Institute of South East Asian Studies in Singapore.

KSN: Well,I think in general, it is quite correct to say that things are looking brighter now than perhaps, a year ago, in Singapore-Malaysia relations. For one, we have two new leaders across the Causeway, and it will be easier for them to discard some of the old baggage that was tied up with the previous Prime Ministers. Perhaps, one of the things that they would probably do and might do is to reshuffle the bureaucracy on both sides where the mind set has been one that has not enabled the movement forward. And this is one area where both Prime Ministers might look into, to see if the fires can be handled by different officials who have a fresher and more positive approach to deal with these issues.

What are some of the areas of common interest that both countries can work together in the future?

KSN: On the international front is a commonality of interests in dealing with security concerns in the post 9/11 era. Terrorism clearly has not left us for good, it is still a problem that is lurking, and there's where I think our common strategic approach is, both at the bilateral and regional levels of ASEAN to work together. Beyond that, I think there are economic concerns where both we can engage in a win-win situation. One area where Singapore and Malaysia can certainly cooperate is in the development of infrastructure, especially port infrastructure in Malaysia. Now that is going on at a high pace, and instead of engaging in cut-throat competition, they can engage in joint ventures so that is a win-win situation for both Singapore and Malaysia. It also means that Singapore can increase its level of investments in Malaysia, and Malaysia too can likewise in Singapore.

Will there be other significant shifts in policies in areas of economics and security for both countries?

KSN: Certainly, in the area of competition, competition here refers to outside powers. There is arising competition from China and India, and these two major Asian powers will certainly up the competition levels for both Singapore and Malaysia in the broader economic front. And this is where Singapore and Malaysia can team up on how we can capitalize on certain niche areas, in which we can provide services at a lower cost, and of higher quality. One area clearly being education. The education sector is something where both Malaysia and Singapore are highly competent in providing for the increasing demand for tertiary education all over the world. There are thousands of students who are now coming this way, to earn their degrees from institutions of higher learning in Malaysia and Singapore. Given the fact that both countries have such tremendous cultural diversity, a unique feature of both countries, I think this is an additional factor to attract tourism, further investments and more people to South East Asia, especially to these two ASEAN countries.

What does the upcoming leadership change in Singapore and the earlier change of Prime Minister in Malaysia mean for ASEAN?

KSN: Well, I think ASEAN will go on ticking as it usually does. It is a regional organization that is now 37 years old, and I think as an institution, it will be there. What can done, however, is perhaps fine tuning some of its projects, and programs to make it much more relevant and more dynamic to address the economic, political and security challenges that lie ahead. Quite clearly, the ASEAN leaders, in their recent summit, have already identified the three areas in which cooperation is vital, that is in terms of creating the ASEAN Security Community, the ASEAN Economic Community, and also the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community. Perhaps the infusion of new blood in the leadership of both Malaysia and Singapore would move these projects forward, and make ASEAN a more vital and relevant institution for many years ahead.