Unlikely for S'pore, Malaysia to merge: Lee Kuan Yew
-
By Hoe Yeen Nie | Posted: 22 September 2011 2207 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore's former minister mentor Lee Kuan Yew said it is unlikely that Singapore and Malaysia will merge in the future.
He was speaking at the Singapore Global Dialogue, held at the Shangri-La Hotel, on Thursday evening. The dialogue was attended by some 400 participants from all over world.
Mr Lee was asked by a Malaysian citizen if he foresees both countries coming to a political or economic union in the future, given the growing strength of Indonesia.
Mr Lee said having gone through a failed merger in the 1960s, such a move is not likely.
But he also gave a positive outlook of bilateral relations, noting the efforts of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.
These include developing the Iskandar region in southern Johor, which will complement Singapore's own economic growth.
"Najib has brought forth a positive view of bilateral relations and the desire to develop southern Johor, the Iskandar region, using Singapore as a kind of Shenzhen. (This) means a complementary set of forces will be let loose, which will make it unprofitable for either side to be unfriendly," said Mr Lee.
He added: "You want our investments, we want to invest. Having invested, we don't want problems with Malaysia, and Malaysia which wants more investments will not give us problems. So that's a positive development."
Speaking on Singapore's growth, Mr Lee said that as a diverse society, the country will not be sustainable if economic growth was confined to only one section of society.
At the dialogue, one question raised was on what Mr Lee saw as the two or three key factors that will continue to push Singapore's growth in the next 10 years.
In response, Mr Lee said factors such as meritocracy, pragmatism and a clean government have taken Singapore to where it is, and losing sight of any of them will cause the country to lose momentum.
When asked on how he hoped to be remembered, Mr Lee said he has no desire to be remembered for any particular reason, but he has a job to do - that is to maintain a fair distribution of growth for the country, and to maintain good relations with neighbours.
- CNA -
Originally posted by Clivebenss:
At the dialogue, one question raised was on what Mr Lee saw as the two or three key factors that will continue to push Singapore's growth in the next 10 years.
In response, Mr Lee said factors such as meritocracy, pragmatism and a clean government have taken Singapore to where it is, and losing sight of any of them will cause the country to lose momentum.
As long as english is used as the dominant language in Singapore, there will be continued economic growth in future.
-
Originally posted by Clivebenss:
When asked on how he hoped to be remembered, Mr Lee said he has no desire to be remembered for any particular reason,
Lee Kuan Yew will have no worries on that issue, after he is dead, the proper history of Singapore will be written. Now he is still alive, people afraid of sue. But after he is dead, the true history will come out.
Everything will come out.
-
Singapore's former minister mentor Lee Kuan Yew said it is unlikely that Singapore and Malaysia will merge in the future.
I think there may be merger, but it will take another 40-50 years.
-
singapore and malaysia will never merger. but singapore will have the power to control malaysia one day.
-
Originally posted by Clivebenss:
In response, Mr Lee said factors such as meritocracy, pragmatism and a clean government have taken Singapore to where it is, and losing sight of any of them will cause the country to lose momentum.
He came this close to causing another spat with Malaysia. Seeing what has come out of his mouth lately, it's a major achievement.
-
We'll never merge...
Actually his message could also mean serve as a wake up to the younger ones... Not abt work harder fully, but make sure we will continue to be better.
-
Originally posted by Dalforce 25:
As long as english is used as the dominant language in Singapore, there will be continued economic growth in future.
i thought ur anti lky's english language policy?
-
Originally posted by Dalforce 25:
Lee Kuan Yew will have no worries on that issue, after he is dead, the proper history of Singapore will be written. Now he is still alive, people afraid of sue. But after he is dead, the true history will come out.
Everything will come out.
going by the current version of history most people are learning, why do you think so?
not taking sides but both side are pretty f***ed up in their versions.
-
Majority of the people favour not merge with malaysia.
Spore are better off than malaysia.
Malaysia is a muslim country while Spore is not.
The mindset is also different.
Spore will not merge for Spore is in higher league than malaysia.
It should be malaysia merge with spore.
-
of cos not!!!!!!
-
How nice it would be for singapore one day to absorb penisula,east malaysia and brunei into our domain.
-
Originally posted by likeyou:
Majority of the people favour not merge with malaysia.
Spore are better off than malaysia.
Malaysia is a muslim country while Spore is not.
The mindset is also different.
Spore will not merge for Spore is in higher league than malaysia.
It should be malaysia merge with spore.
Got to be careful.
If majority in Malaysia vote to merge with Singapore.
Singapore will panic.
-
Say lou yeh is afraid if merge the Tunku will come haunt him.
-
Originally posted by gorgorlokaychyong:
Say lou yeh is afraid if merge the Tunku will come haunt him.
Ha ha ha ha......... i love the way you address him.......
好嘢!!!!!!!
-
Originally posted by mancha:
Got to be careful.
If majority in Malaysia vote to merge with Singapore.
Singapore will panic.
Spore will be always Spore.Hey why not give us Johor state to Spore?
-
Originally posted by Ä«Õß:¸ïÀë:
Ha ha ha ha......... i love the way you address him.......
好嘢!!!!!!!
Smile brightly, tor cheh sai!
-
Spore 1st language; English
Malaysia 1st language : Malay
Already stumbling block liao.
-
kuai kum lou, zou yeng goi STFU, seng yart chou yun ba bai.
-
idw SG and malaysia merge again hor....Fail once le still dare to merge..真是ä¸�怕æ»ã€‚。
-
why no merge
good for ju hu kia
-
merge liao no more NS
-
Originally posted by mancha:
Got to be careful.
If majority in Malaysia vote to merge with Singapore.
Singapore will panic.
wat kind of merger? -
Originally posted by likeyou:
Spore 1st language; English
Malaysia 1st language : Malay
Already stumbling block liao.
Singapore National language Malay
Singapore official language English.
-
there's lots of problems to solve if we want to megre
So all the signs are going to be malay, english or chinese?
Do malays deserve special rights?
