Singapore looks forward to enhancing cooperation with new Malaysian govt: PM Lee

SINGAPORE —  Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Thursday (May 10) that he looks forward to working with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the new government in Malaysia to enhance cooperation, and hopes to "catch up with him in person soon".

"We can do much more together," he said in a Facebook post, noting that "our peoples share strong and deep bonds". Mr Lee was congratulating Dr Mahathir in the same message, shortly after he was sworn in as Malaysia's prime minister on Thursday night.

Earlier in the day, in his first comments on the outcome of the Malaysian elections, PM Lee talked about developing "an equally constructive relationship" with the incoming Malaysian government.

Separately, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement reaffirming that Malaysia is "a vital partner". "We have had close relations and extensive cooperation with successive Malaysian governments, including the government of Tun Mahathir when he was previously prime minister. We look forward to cooperating with Tun Mahathir and the new government of Malaysia to further strengthen and deepen bilateral ties, for the benefit of both our peoples," the ministry said.

In his earlier Facebook post, PM Lee also said that as Malaysia's closest neighbour, Singapore has "a vested interest in Malaysia's stability and prosperity".

"While Malaysian politics are for Malaysians to decide, Singapore wishes Malaysia all the best in its political development."

Wednesday's polls saw opposition leader and former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad's opposition pact Pakatan Harapan (PH) winning a historic victory that ended the ruling Barisan Nasional's unbroken 61-year run in charge of Malaysia.

Official results at 4.40 am on Thursday showed that PH had won 113 of parliament's 222 seats, clinching the simple majority required to rule.

Outgoing Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak's BN coalition had 79, with the others going to Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS), Warisan Sabah and several independent candidates.

On Thursday, Mr Lee said the Singapore government will work with the next Malaysian government to "take our bilateral ties forward and benefit both our peoples".

Also commenting on the election results on Facebook was Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who wrote that the results showed "a clear vote for change in Malaysia".

Mr Tharman also said that the sentiment was "across the board — Malays, Chinese, Indians and even the Dayaks in Sarawak".

Asked about the impact the new government may have on joint agreements such as the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail, Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing said it is still "early days" yet, but Singapore is "closely following" the developments.

Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of a factory visit to food manufacturer SMC Food 21 on Thursday, Mr Chan said: "We have a long standing and broad ranging relationship with the Malaysians, and we will work with the elected government of Malaysia of the day to continue to advance this relationship."

Singapore will reach out to the new government of Malaysia, once it is formed, to discuss a broad range of projects not just in the economic sphere, but also in other areas like security, he added.

Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin, meanwhile, also took to Facebook to congratulate the incoming new government.

"Stunning results in the Malaysian GE! Our Malaysian friends have made their choice and spoken out decisively," he wrote.

"We look forward to working with the new Government and leaders, and to continue to strengthen the friendship and co-operation between our two countries," Mr Tan added.

Congratulating the veteran politician on being Malaysia’s prime minister for the second time, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong called to mind how Dr Mahathir shared similarities with Singapore's former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.

Writing on the Facebook page MParader, he said: “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.’ One must salute Mahathir for his indomitable will and energy to right what he thinks is wrong with his country.”

Saying that “whatever happens on one side of the Causeway affects the other”, Mr Goh offered Dr Mahathir and Malaysia's new government Singapore’s “continued goodwill and friendship”.