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SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has said Singapore must understand and manage problems in its bilateral relationships with its neighbours.
Speaking to university students at a forum on Friday, Mr Lee said problems are inevitable between close neighbours.
He said there are some deep mindsets that will not change for a long time.
For example, the perceptions that Singapore is a Chinese island within a non-Chinese region and that Singapore should be the "adik (little sibling) in an abang-adik (older brother-younger brother) relationship", as former Indonesian President Habibie had described Singapore as "a little red dot".
Hence, Singaporeans should just accept that this is the way things are, stand the ground quietly and uphold the nation's interests and work on a win-win cooperation.
With Malaysia, PM Lee noted that Singapore is exploring opportunities in the Iskandar Development Region (IDR).
Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi wants Singapore to take part in the IDR and has said so clearly.
But the ground sentiment, particularly in Johor, is negative with strong criticisms from the Islamic party PAS and even from UMNO Members of Parliament.
Mr Lee stressed that Singapore is still ready to cooperate, but will let Malaysia set the pace.
Turning to Singapore's ties with Indonesia, Mr Lee said the Extradition Treaty and the Defence Cooperation Agreement have become hot issues.
Both the Indonesian legislative members and the media have attacked the agreements.
PM Lee said this is part of Indonesia's domestic politics.
Singapore would wait for them to work out the issue, one way or other, within their political system, and will pick it up again when Indonesia is ready. - CNA/ir
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