SINGAPORE : Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, who is handling
Singapore's negotiations with Malaysia, says both sides should look
forward to a cooperative working relationship and not be bogged
down by past issues.
He said this in response to questions from foreign journalists at
the Global Entropolis @Singapore event.
Senior Minister Goh says he will make a trip to Kuala Lumpur by
year's end to meet with Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah
Badawi.
The last time they met was earlier this year, when Mr Goh was still
prime minister.
Mr Goh said the upcoming meeting would be the first step to make
progress on negotiations on the outstanding issues, which include
water and the proposed bridge to replace the Causeway.
Asked if there would be a change in approach to discussions, Mr Goh
said Malaysia had earlier signalled its preference to deal on an
issue-by-issue basis.
He said Singapore would accept this approach if it is the preferred
option of the Malaysian leadership.
But Mr Goh reiterated there would not be any negotiation through
the media, as agreed with Mr Abdullah.
As such, he did not want to discuss Singapore's position or
expectations, as bilateral talks are a sensitive process.
"I would not want to negotiate through the press. So I would not
give any inkling as to Singapore's position on the negotiations. I
would not be signalling to Malaysia through the press on what our
expectations are," Mr Goh said.
Instead, the best way is for Mr Goh to meet Mr Abdullah himself and
try to resolve the issues.
He added both leaders have a warm relationship based on mutual
trust.
This is an important factor, and assured there would be no tricks
up their sleeves during the negotiations.
"I trust him and I hope he trusts me as well. And if we negotiate,
if I tell him this is what I can do, this is what I can't do and I
propose to resolve it in a certain way, he can be sure that behind
what I've offered, there'll be no tricks, there's nothing hidden,"
Mr Goh said.
Mr Goh also pressed home the point that ultimately, both leaders
would still have to look after their own national interests.
At the same time, he said it does not make sense for both sides to
be bogged down by the outstanding bilateral issues.
Instead, he expressed hope that Singapore and Malaysia should look
forward, as there is much to gain by working together. - CNA