Our great Shanmugam mentioned that Malaysian media and blogs have chosen to focus only on Singapore and have deliberately tried to misrepresent the issue. He was responding to recent allegations that Singapore diplomats had actively participated in Malaysia's Bersih 3.0 Rally in April.
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http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1212462/1/.html
SINGAPORE: Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam has said that both Singapore and Malaysia have no interest in undermining the good relations between both sides.
Responding to recent allegations that Singapore diplomats had actively participated in Malaysia's Bersih 3.0 Rally in April, he said that some quarters in Malaysia are clearly uncomfortable by the current good state of relations between the two countries.
Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Mr Shanmugam reiterated that the allegations are false.
He said the Singapore officers were at the Bersih rally as impartial observers, just like diplomats from more than 10 other countries.
He added it's regrettable that some elements in the Malaysian media and blogs have chosen to focus only on Singapore and have deliberately tried to misrepresent the issue.
Some articles were inflammatory with a racial slant.
Mr Shanmugam said the Malaysian government does not seem to share the same views.
"These articles suggest that the Malay community here can be persuaded to vote in a certain way. It's laughable because we have every confidence in our fellow citizens," said Mr Shanmugam.
"I believe (it) does not reflect the (Malaysian) government's views, shows a dangerous inclination to inject a racial angle into bilateral relationships, and shows a continuing belief in some quarters that our Malay population can be targeted from outside. That is a deliberate provocation but we will not be baited by these negative elements," he added.
Mr Shanmugam said he spoke with his Malaysian counterpart Anifah Aman, over two separate phone calls.
He added Singapore and Malaysia have every intention of preserving the positive bilateral relationship that both sides have worked hard to build.
"We should also not allow any negative elements uncomfortable with the current excellent state of bilateral ties to spoil our relations," he said.
Mr Shanmugam added that bilateral ties have always been bigger than any specific disagreements or points of contention, and this is how both sides should move forward together.
- CNA/cc
What can we do to help him?
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1212462/1/.html
SINGAPORE: Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam has said that both Singapore and Malaysia have no interest in undermining the good relations between both sides.
Responding to recent allegations that Singapore diplomats had actively participated in Malaysia's Bersih 3.0 Rally in April, he said that some quarters in Malaysia are clearly uncomfortable by the current good state of relations between the two countries.
Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Mr Shanmugam reiterated that the allegations are false.
He said the Singapore officers were at the Bersih rally as impartial observers, just like diplomats from more than 10 other countries.
He added it's regrettable that some elements in the Malaysian media and blogs have chosen to focus only on Singapore and have deliberately tried to misrepresent the issue.
Some articles were inflammatory with a racial slant.
Mr Shanmugam said the Malaysian government does not seem to share the same views.
"These articles suggest that the Malay community here can be persuaded to vote in a certain way. It's laughable because we have every confidence in our fellow citizens," said Mr Shanmugam.
"I believe (it) does not reflect the (Malaysian) government's views, shows a dangerous inclination to inject a racial angle into bilateral relationships, and shows a continuing belief in some quarters that our Malay population can be targeted from outside. That is a deliberate provocation but we will not be baited by these negative elements," he added.
Mr Shanmugam said he spoke with his Malaysian counterpart Anifah Aman, over two separate phone calls.
He added Singapore and Malaysia have every intention of preserving the positive bilateral relationship that both sides have worked hard to build.
"We should also not allow any negative elements uncomfortable with the current excellent state of bilateral ties to spoil our relations," he said.
Mr Shanmugam added that bilateral ties have always been bigger than any specific disagreements or points of contention, and this is how both sides should move forward together.
- CNA/cc
