There is no love between North Korea and China, they just have
common enemy.
There is also no love between India and Nepal, Nepal just submit to
India.
Singapore and Brunei will still be friends even if we are next door
to each other, provided both are equally rich.
Malaysia and Indonesia will have no problem with Singapore if they
are richer than us, or if we submit to them, pay them whatever they
want, or remain a small fishing town.
The greatest driving force for countries, especially neighbours to
accept each other and live peacefully together, is a common enemy.
European countries now become a united European, because they were
first devastated by Nazi, then the threat of USSR.
What could become the common enemy to ASEAN, or just Singapore,
Malaysia and Indonesia?
Japan occupied South East Asia but it was way before the
independence of any countries.
If the big communist China were to attack and occupied, Singapore
would be suspected of siding China because of our Chinese majority.
Of may be India, then the many local indians would also be treated
with suspicion.
What about terrorism? unfortunately, our neighbors are known to
produce terrorists, and there is even suspicion that there are
terrorists training camp not far away from us.
But we shouldn't be waiting for a common enemy.
We better learn to recognise our difference and accept one another.
Being close only increases the chance of hostility in case of
disagreement, that is what the SAF is aware of.
