All the issues that we have been arguing about all tie in
indirectly with the SAF. The airspace issue (RSAF), the CIQ
(Singapore's boundary), the Water issue (Singapore's National
Interest), and the Lighthouse, (Singapore's control over
surrounding waterways)
It seems that the Malaysians are testing Singapore's resolve to
resort to military deterrence by pressing on these issues. They are
probing into water, to see how deep the SAF runs. And recently,
they have "Requested" or rather is taunting the SAF to move.
They hope to trigger any military response from the SAF, in order
to observe and in future hopefully deal with. They feel they have
nothing to lose at the moment since any response from the SAF would
violate their "national sovereignty" and earn Singapore
condemnation from the international community.
If Singapore could, the SAF should be holding large scale exercises
on home soil to flex its military muscles to show that it has the
resolve. Yet due to the land and space constraint, it cannot do
that. Large scale exercises tend to offer some combat experience,
instill confidence, and raise morale.
A foreseeable move by the MAF would be likewise. They may do what
the SAF cannot. They may hold large scale exercises to intimidate
the SAF, and try to nullify Singapore's Military deterrence. At the
same time, they would attempt to impose their political will, on
Singapore. Succeeding in that, would indirectly imply that Malaysia
IS S.E.A's regional leader.
WHY: The Malaysian Govt is fearful. Not to mention sick and tired
of being 2nd best. They feel out of control of regional politics
and now seek to correct that. The time is right, regional countries
including Singapore are slowly recovering from the economic
downturn. Recovering but no doubt still hurt. They should have
acted earlier, but perhaps they couldn't. In anycase, their time is
now.
It seems that the top of their agenda is creating a submissive and
manageable Singapore. And their first attempt is taming Singapore's
lion, the SAF. Without a doubt, they are hunting the SAF,
attempting to corner it, and hopefully tame it by demoralising it,
and starving it of public confidence. It is a dangerous game,
taunting lions. They had better be prepared to kill the lion should
they fail.
