On Thursday, Singapore's defense minister Ng Eng Hen advised Singaporeans not to get worked up over remarks made by former two-time Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad. (30 June).
Speaking to local media at the defence ministry headquarters ahead of the 55th anniversary of National Service in Singapore, Ng stated, "If you want to jump up and down every time Dr. Mahathir speaks, you'll be jumping like a jumping bean."
He was replying to a query on recent statements made by Mahathir regarding the regaining of lost Malay areas, including Singapore and Indonesia's Riau Islands.
"Dr. Mahathir wasn't speaking with us, so I'm not sure if I need to respond... He has interacted with former prime leaders, including (Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong), and is a recognizable figure "He was reported by The Straits Times as stating.
Later, he continued, "You must take a few deep breaths and accord him the respect he deserves. He says it for other audiences, and he specifically stated that those remarks were not intended for us, so we should take it at its value."
Controversial remarks regarding Malay lands
Last week, Langkawi Member of Parliament Mahathir's statements about Malay lands generated controversy with neighboring Singapore and Indonesia.
In a 19 June online-posted address, he stated that Malay territories extended from the Isthmus of Kra in southern Thailand to the Riau Islands.
""We should demand not just that Pedra Branca, or Pulau Batu Puteh, be returned to us, instead we should also demand for the return of Singapore and the Riau Islands to Malaysia as Malay lands" he remarked.
"But today, we are left with only the peninsula... I wonder whether we will continue to own this peninsula. I am worried for the future of Malays, whether the peninsula land will also be owned by another party, " he continued.
Three days later, Indonesia's foreign ministry refuted the Riau Islands claim, stating that it lacked a legal foundation.
A spokeswoman for the foreign ministry stated, "In a time when the globe faces numerous problems, a senior politician should not make unfounded assertions that might ruin friendships."
The following day, Mahathir claimed that his statements were misinterpreted.
He stated, "I am not asking Malaysia to reclaim the area we lost." "I am attempting to demonstrate that we are more concerned about losing a table-sized rock than we were when we lost larger portions of Malaysia."
Separately, Mahathir, who will turn 97 on July 10, stated on Wednesday that he may defend his position in parliament in the next general election, which must be called by September of next year if his Pejuang party has no qualified candidates.
Having been hospitalized for a month earlier this year for an elective medical treatment, he announced in March that he will not run in the next election owing to his age and health.
Opmerkingen