Going into the new year, the often rocky relationship between Singapore and Malaysia has taken a new twist and it seems that the situation could become increasingly volatile.
Malaysian political leaders have been showing a complete lack of diplomacy. Examples include the selective political amnesia on the dispute over the sovereignty of Pedra Branca, the claim of military threats posed by neighbouring countries, the frivolity in using war rhetoric and adopting an aggressive stance.
It is apparent that the Malaysian leadership, led by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, for the sake of gaining political mileage at home, is prepared to endanger the sensitive and vulnerable ties between Singapore and Malaysia by whipping up nationalist sentiments against Singapore to create tension and anxiety. Such inept foreign policy tactics are extremely perplexing and disappointing.
As a political leader of a country, Dr Mahathir should be keenly aware of the significance of his words, their political implications and impact on Malaysia's foreign relations. Although he was not specific in his war rhetoric with reference to the potential aggressor, as an immediate neighbour to Malaysia, Singapore is naturally seen as the implicit enemy.
Notwithstanding whether such diplomatic behaviour is acceptable, the danger of such talk is that it could easily be manipulated by politicians with ulterior motives to score political points and advance individual or party agenda.
There is also the question of whether the Malaysian government is able to control the media reactions and emotional outbursts of the people arising from such remarks. If political leaders are compelled consequently to ride on the popular sentiments that they have created, they would be walking down a path of no return and paying the price for their irresponsible actions. This is a matter of concern.
Ties between Singapore and Malaysia have always been delicate and marked by ups and downs as well as occasional disagreements.
Singapore's stand has always been for a reciprocal and sincere relationship that takes into account the differences between both sides.
However, Malaysia's foreign policy towards Singapore has frequently been dictated by changes in domestic politics.
Malaysian leaders should appreciate that to build up a nation's sense of dignity and credibility requires not only the country's own effort, but also the respect and recognition accorded to it by other countries in the world. Respect has to be earned, not demanded. And they should practise this basic principle starting with their immediate neighbours.
It is in the long-term interests of Malaysia to put an end to all pretences and political opportunism.
This would prevent further damage to the weak regional investment environment which has yet to recover from the threat of terrorism.
It would also mitigate the uncertainty and instability in the region and avoid impeding the economic recovery and growth of countries in the region.
Over the dispute of Pedra Branca, Malaysian leaders had once said that Malaysia's “tolerance and accommodation” of Singapore was due to their aversion of being seen as a bully to a small country.
Perhaps it has never crossed their minds that whether a nation is perceived as“big”or“small”may also depend on factors such as the consistency in its foreign policy, the political foresight of its leaders and the openness of its people. The“size”of a country in terms of land area is a meaningless statistic in itself.
How should Singapore and Malaysia relate to each other in future？ Do we want to erect more barriers or should we open up and create a mechanism to facilitate sincere exchanges？ For peace-loving Singaporeans and Malaysians, the choice is obvious.
For the sake of peace and harmony in the region, Malaysian leaders should accept that domestic political needs should not be met at the expense of good ties with its neighbours. They should also refrain from comments that are not beneficial to its neighbours.
Finally, as Singaporeans, we should not only rely on official statements to represent our stand when we attempt to see beyond the shortsightedness and absurdity of political games played by Malaysian leaders. The civil society is and remains an important source of opinion outside the establishment and it has a crucial obligation to perform in protecting Singapore's image and national dignity as part of our quest for the meaning of citizenship.
（The writer is an SPH scholar. He is now studying for a master's degree in International Development Economics at Yale University.）
進(jìn)入新的一年,近年來曲折迂回的新馬關(guān)系又添新的變數(shù),而且情況已經(jīng)越演越烈。
從白礁主權(quán)爭議中的選擇性政治失憶,到日前煞有介事地指責(zé)鄰國的軍事策略對(duì)馬來西亞的威脅以及對(duì)發(fā)動(dòng)戰(zhàn)爭的輕率語氣和公開挑釁的姿態(tài),馬來西亞政治領(lǐng)袖的外交手段,實(shí)在令人難以恭維。
從目前的情況看,以首相馬哈迪為首的馬國政治領(lǐng)袖,為了國內(nèi)政治資本的積累,不惜煽動(dòng)國民情緒,以危害原本就建立在既敏感又脆弱基礎(chǔ)上的新馬雙邊關(guān)系的代價(jià),利用國家民族主義的民粹論調(diào),企圖挑起緊張和不安,實(shí)在令人對(duì)這樣拙劣的外交舉措感到萬般失望和費(fèi)解。
身為一國政治領(lǐng)袖,馬哈迪必須清楚認(rèn)識(shí)到個(gè)人言論的象征意義以及可能引起的外交后果。比如他的“戰(zhàn)爭論”,雖然對(duì)象不明,但與馬國一水之鄰的新加坡自然成為暗喻的主要敵對(duì)對(duì)象。
姑且不論這樣的外交行為是否合理,這類的政治話語的危險(xiǎn)性在于,它能夠很輕易地被別有用心的政客所利用,作為個(gè)人或黨派的政治籌碼,進(jìn)行政治宣傳。
到時(shí)馬國領(lǐng)袖是否能夠控制輿論的張力以及民間的情緒反射,還是會(huì)因?yàn)椴回?fù)責(zé)任的言行而騎虎難下、 作繭自縛、自食其果,的確是一令人不得不感到擔(dān)心的局面。
新馬兩國微妙的雙邊關(guān)系,長久以來就有起伏和齟齬；新加坡的立場強(qiáng)調(diào)相互坦誠,并尊重彼此的分歧。然而,馬國對(duì)新加坡的外交政策和立場,卻往往受國內(nèi)政治走向的影響而有所改變。
馬國領(lǐng)袖必須知 道,建立一個(gè)國家的尊嚴(yán)和信譽(yù)不僅需要靠自身的經(jīng)營和努力,同時(shí)也必須爭取國際伙伴的尊重和認(rèn)同。這個(gè)基本原則的起點(diǎn),更應(yīng)該從鄰近的周邊國家開始。
特別以馬來西亞的長遠(yuǎn)利益作為考量,與其粉飾實(shí)為惺惺作態(tài)、造作扭捏的政治機(jī)會(huì)主義,不如適可而止,以免繼續(xù)毒害尚未完全從恐怖主義威脅陰影中走出的脆弱投資環(huán)境,加重這個(gè)區(qū)域的不穩(wěn)定因素,并終影響本區(qū)域各國經(jīng)濟(jì)發(fā)展的步伐和復(fù)蘇的進(jìn)度。
還記得在白礁課題上,馬國的政治領(lǐng)袖曾宣稱對(duì)新加坡的“容忍”是基于不愿被視為以大欺小。
然而,他們仿佛未曾想過,一個(gè)國家的大小,也可以從其國際外交政策的延續(xù)性、政治領(lǐng)袖的視野以及人民心胸的寬度中得到體現(xiàn)。如此來說,土地面積不過是一個(gè)統(tǒng)計(jì)數(shù)字而已。
新馬兩國之間的未來交往,到底要的是筑起藩籬,還是要敞開窗戶,創(chuàng)造健全溝通機(jī)制的誠懇交流方式,對(duì)于愛好和平的兩地國民,這個(gè)選擇是十分明顯的。
為了整個(gè)區(qū)域的和諧共生,馬國領(lǐng)袖必須認(rèn)清國家內(nèi)部的政治需要和外交行為須保持平衡,而不是信口開河,損害鄰國利益。
后,作為新加坡國民,要透視馬國領(lǐng)袖政治游戲背后的短視和荒謬,我們也不應(yīng)該只依靠官方發(fā)表言論和表明立場。公民社會(huì)的意識(shí)回聲是體制以外一把重要的聲音,而維護(hù)國家的形象和尊嚴(yán),反映天理民心,更是完善公民身份的關(guān)鍵義務(wù)。
。作者是報(bào)業(yè)控股獎(jiǎng)學(xué)金得主,目前在美國耶魯大學(xué)念國際發(fā)展經(jīng)濟(jì)碩士學(xué)位。
Malaysian political leaders have been showing a complete lack of diplomacy. Examples include the selective political amnesia on the dispute over the sovereignty of Pedra Branca, the claim of military threats posed by neighbouring countries, the frivolity in using war rhetoric and adopting an aggressive stance.
It is apparent that the Malaysian leadership, led by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, for the sake of gaining political mileage at home, is prepared to endanger the sensitive and vulnerable ties between Singapore and Malaysia by whipping up nationalist sentiments against Singapore to create tension and anxiety. Such inept foreign policy tactics are extremely perplexing and disappointing.
As a political leader of a country, Dr Mahathir should be keenly aware of the significance of his words, their political implications and impact on Malaysia's foreign relations. Although he was not specific in his war rhetoric with reference to the potential aggressor, as an immediate neighbour to Malaysia, Singapore is naturally seen as the implicit enemy.
Notwithstanding whether such diplomatic behaviour is acceptable, the danger of such talk is that it could easily be manipulated by politicians with ulterior motives to score political points and advance individual or party agenda.
There is also the question of whether the Malaysian government is able to control the media reactions and emotional outbursts of the people arising from such remarks. If political leaders are compelled consequently to ride on the popular sentiments that they have created, they would be walking down a path of no return and paying the price for their irresponsible actions. This is a matter of concern.
Ties between Singapore and Malaysia have always been delicate and marked by ups and downs as well as occasional disagreements.
Singapore's stand has always been for a reciprocal and sincere relationship that takes into account the differences between both sides.
However, Malaysia's foreign policy towards Singapore has frequently been dictated by changes in domestic politics.
Malaysian leaders should appreciate that to build up a nation's sense of dignity and credibility requires not only the country's own effort, but also the respect and recognition accorded to it by other countries in the world. Respect has to be earned, not demanded. And they should practise this basic principle starting with their immediate neighbours.
It is in the long-term interests of Malaysia to put an end to all pretences and political opportunism.
This would prevent further damage to the weak regional investment environment which has yet to recover from the threat of terrorism.
It would also mitigate the uncertainty and instability in the region and avoid impeding the economic recovery and growth of countries in the region.
Over the dispute of Pedra Branca, Malaysian leaders had once said that Malaysia's “tolerance and accommodation” of Singapore was due to their aversion of being seen as a bully to a small country.
Perhaps it has never crossed their minds that whether a nation is perceived as“big”or“small”may also depend on factors such as the consistency in its foreign policy, the political foresight of its leaders and the openness of its people. The“size”of a country in terms of land area is a meaningless statistic in itself.
How should Singapore and Malaysia relate to each other in future？ Do we want to erect more barriers or should we open up and create a mechanism to facilitate sincere exchanges？ For peace-loving Singaporeans and Malaysians, the choice is obvious.
For the sake of peace and harmony in the region, Malaysian leaders should accept that domestic political needs should not be met at the expense of good ties with its neighbours. They should also refrain from comments that are not beneficial to its neighbours.
Finally, as Singaporeans, we should not only rely on official statements to represent our stand when we attempt to see beyond the shortsightedness and absurdity of political games played by Malaysian leaders. The civil society is and remains an important source of opinion outside the establishment and it has a crucial obligation to perform in protecting Singapore's image and national dignity as part of our quest for the meaning of citizenship.
（The writer is an SPH scholar. He is now studying for a master's degree in International Development Economics at Yale University.）
進(jìn)入新的一年,近年來曲折迂回的新馬關(guān)系又添新的變數(shù),而且情況已經(jīng)越演越烈。
從白礁主權(quán)爭議中的選擇性政治失憶,到日前煞有介事地指責(zé)鄰國的軍事策略對(duì)馬來西亞的威脅以及對(duì)發(fā)動(dòng)戰(zhàn)爭的輕率語氣和公開挑釁的姿態(tài),馬來西亞政治領(lǐng)袖的外交手段,實(shí)在令人難以恭維。
從目前的情況看,以首相馬哈迪為首的馬國政治領(lǐng)袖,為了國內(nèi)政治資本的積累,不惜煽動(dòng)國民情緒,以危害原本就建立在既敏感又脆弱基礎(chǔ)上的新馬雙邊關(guān)系的代價(jià),利用國家民族主義的民粹論調(diào),企圖挑起緊張和不安,實(shí)在令人對(duì)這樣拙劣的外交舉措感到萬般失望和費(fèi)解。
身為一國政治領(lǐng)袖,馬哈迪必須清楚認(rèn)識(shí)到個(gè)人言論的象征意義以及可能引起的外交后果。比如他的“戰(zhàn)爭論”,雖然對(duì)象不明,但與馬國一水之鄰的新加坡自然成為暗喻的主要敵對(duì)對(duì)象。
姑且不論這樣的外交行為是否合理,這類的政治話語的危險(xiǎn)性在于,它能夠很輕易地被別有用心的政客所利用,作為個(gè)人或黨派的政治籌碼,進(jìn)行政治宣傳。
到時(shí)馬國領(lǐng)袖是否能夠控制輿論的張力以及民間的情緒反射,還是會(huì)因?yàn)椴回?fù)責(zé)任的言行而騎虎難下、 作繭自縛、自食其果,的確是一令人不得不感到擔(dān)心的局面。
新馬兩國微妙的雙邊關(guān)系,長久以來就有起伏和齟齬；新加坡的立場強(qiáng)調(diào)相互坦誠,并尊重彼此的分歧。然而,馬國對(duì)新加坡的外交政策和立場,卻往往受國內(nèi)政治走向的影響而有所改變。
馬國領(lǐng)袖必須知 道,建立一個(gè)國家的尊嚴(yán)和信譽(yù)不僅需要靠自身的經(jīng)營和努力,同時(shí)也必須爭取國際伙伴的尊重和認(rèn)同。這個(gè)基本原則的起點(diǎn),更應(yīng)該從鄰近的周邊國家開始。
特別以馬來西亞的長遠(yuǎn)利益作為考量,與其粉飾實(shí)為惺惺作態(tài)、造作扭捏的政治機(jī)會(huì)主義,不如適可而止,以免繼續(xù)毒害尚未完全從恐怖主義威脅陰影中走出的脆弱投資環(huán)境,加重這個(gè)區(qū)域的不穩(wěn)定因素,并終影響本區(qū)域各國經(jīng)濟(jì)發(fā)展的步伐和復(fù)蘇的進(jìn)度。
還記得在白礁課題上,馬國的政治領(lǐng)袖曾宣稱對(duì)新加坡的“容忍”是基于不愿被視為以大欺小。
然而,他們仿佛未曾想過,一個(gè)國家的大小,也可以從其國際外交政策的延續(xù)性、政治領(lǐng)袖的視野以及人民心胸的寬度中得到體現(xiàn)。如此來說,土地面積不過是一個(gè)統(tǒng)計(jì)數(shù)字而已。
新馬兩國之間的未來交往,到底要的是筑起藩籬,還是要敞開窗戶,創(chuàng)造健全溝通機(jī)制的誠懇交流方式,對(duì)于愛好和平的兩地國民,這個(gè)選擇是十分明顯的。
為了整個(gè)區(qū)域的和諧共生,馬國領(lǐng)袖必須認(rèn)清國家內(nèi)部的政治需要和外交行為須保持平衡,而不是信口開河,損害鄰國利益。
后,作為新加坡國民,要透視馬國領(lǐng)袖政治游戲背后的短視和荒謬,我們也不應(yīng)該只依靠官方發(fā)表言論和表明立場。公民社會(huì)的意識(shí)回聲是體制以外一把重要的聲音,而維護(hù)國家的形象和尊嚴(yán),反映天理民心,更是完善公民身份的關(guān)鍵義務(wù)。
。作者是報(bào)業(yè)控股獎(jiǎng)學(xué)金得主,目前在美國耶魯大學(xué)念國際發(fā)展經(jīng)濟(jì)碩士學(xué)位。