Mending
fences with Singapore to create a win-win situation for both countries
Media Statement
by Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew
(Kuala Lumpur,
Tuesday):
The negotiation between Prime Minister Datuk Seri
Abdullah Badawi and Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong yesterday has seen some
progress in resolving pending deadlocks. The possibility of Malaysians
getting the Singapore authority to release their CPF (Central Provident
Fund, estimated as around RM2 billion) without having to wait until their
retirement age came as a good news to many effected Malaysians. And the
possibility of allowing RSAF aircraft to use Malaysian air space for
training is no less significant to the Singaporean air force as they were no
longer need to travel all the way to Australia.
Abdullah Badawi should be commended for the effort although some quarters
may hold the view that he should have directed other senior minister to
negotiate with Goh as Goh is no more the Prime Minister of Singapore.
Apart
from the CPF and air space for training issues, there are many more urgent
and important issues to be tackled by the top leaders of both countries. The
new bridge has to be built as soon as possible to avoid further losses
incurred on the RM2.5 billion Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex in
Bukit Ghagar. The complex would have no use at all without the new bridge as
an access. We were very much relieved when the crooked half-bridge insisted
by the former PM Tun Mahathir Mohamad was finally abandoned after much
protest by the DAP and other concerned Malaysians.
The
water issue is another thorny issue between the two countries. We do not
want the issue to be played up by UMNO and PAP politicians every now and
then to serve their respective political interests. Natural resources such
as water should be shared by the human race on equitable and reasonable
terms. Agreements reached by our forefathers must be honoured by the new
leaders and any amendment must be done on the basis of give and take and
mutual benefit.
We do
not wish to interfere with the negotiation process but we certainly hope
that the leaders of both sides to give priorities to more urgent and
important issues rather than minor ones.
(14/12/2004)
* Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew, DAP International
Secretary and NGO bureau chief
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