Mahathir’s comments on Singapore’s sovereignty

The 2-time former Prime Minister of Malaysia and nonagenerial Mahathir Mohamad has, once again, commented on Singapore’s sovereignty.

Amongst other things, the man who once alluded to the possibility that the Water Agreements may be breached, argued that Singapore ought to be returned to Johor:-

“We should demand not just that Pedra Branca… be returned to us. Instead, we should also demand for the return of Singapore and the Riau Islands to Malaysia as Malay Lands.”

Malaysia should demand for return of Singapore and Riau, says Mahathir Mohamad. READ: https://t.co/YPS3enXmZl pic.twitter.com/CqjpTz9RIv

— Yahoo Singapore (@YahooSG) June 21, 2022

Mahathir, who has been blowing hot and cold towards Singapore since time immemorial, made these remarks in an event organised by the Congress for Malay Survival.

Tan Chuan Jin’s response

On Twitter, the former Brigadier-General posted 2 tweets in quick succession. In the first tweet, he wrote “Here we go again”. In the second tweet, he posted the Singapore flag and a bicep, which presumably means “Singapore Strong”.
On Facebook, the Speaker of Parliament candidly shared his sadness and amusement on the attitudes of some Singaporeans who use anecdotes to “to pull down our own nation and who we are as a people”. He added that although Singapore is not perfect, he was proud to be Singaporean and that he doesn’t spend his time running his own country and people down.

His full comment, which garnered more than 1,000 likes, is as follows:-

What I find amusing and sad is how some Singaporeans use their anecdotal experience in Malaysia, such as some coffee shop owner offering free drinks, to pull down our own nation and who we are as a people. There are many kind and generous souls here too btw. And the usual folks jumping on board to wax lyrical about how great it is on the other side of the causeway and how poorly we are in comparison. But they are entitled to their views.

We are certainly not perfect and can be better and will improve. But I’m proud to be a Singaporean and don’t spend my time running my own country and people down.

And of course there are the usual suspects that celebrate their politicians…Oh well. 

Looking at the edit history of the comment, it appears that the last line was only added subsequently. In the last line, Tan Chuan Jin reproaches the unnamed “usual suspects” who celebrate Malaysia’s politicians.

The Coffee-Shop Analogy

There aren’t many public anecdotes that involve Malaysia, Singapore, and free drinks at coffeshops. Therefore, it may be safe to assume that the Speaker of Parliament was referring to the pioneer architect Tay Kheng Soon’s recent Facebook Post on his experience at a Malaysian coffeshop. In his post, Tay wrote:

I had lunch yesterday at a malay family coffeeshop restaurant in Permas Jaya surburb of JB for a special johore laksa, very different from what we are used to. The atmosphere was very happy friendly. Come paying time they just ask you what you ate and you say you ordered such and such and then pay accordingly. They trust you. After paying i suddenly wanted a teh oh kosong, asked how much the cashier similingly said, “i belanja you”! So different! Wonderful feeling! This is Malaya all over again. How different, we have become so money- minded in Singapore!

In Tan Chaun Jin’s view, there are many kind and generous souls in Singapore too. In a follow-up comment, he noted that he sees many such kind people and acts in the work that he does in the community.

On Wake Up Singapore’s Facebook and Instagram, the reactions to the architect’s post were mixed. Many took the view that such acts of kindness are not unique to Malaysia and are commonplace in Singapore too. Others half-jokingly wrote that landlords who hike rents may not allow stalls to perform such deeds.

Associate Professor Ian Chong weighs in

In a public Facebook Post, NUS Associate Professor Ian Chong observed that both Mahathir and Tan are not part of the Malaysian and Singaporean administration respectively. He also opined that there is “no longer a point hanging on Tun Mahathir’s every word and turn of phrase any more”.

His full remarks are reproduced below for easy reference:

First, Tun Mahathir is looking at an election where he is becoming less and less relevant. Foreign policy is an area where politicians sometimes look to score points. Mahathir has a track record for doing so, sometimes using Singapore as convenient foil.

Second, YB Mahathir is not part of the current Malaysian administration and what he says is not representative of any official Malaysian government position. Going into his 90s, he is unlikely to play a big role in the next Malaysian administration. Even if he is to go into government again, it is likely he will change tack—as he often does.

Third, there is really no longer a point hanging on Tun Mahathir’s every word and turn of phrase any more. It is akin to responding to some backbencher or former political appointee in the Singapore Parliament. Unless of course there is some desire to seek political mileage too.

Fourth, many people in Singapore carry some baggage from Tun Mahathir’s time as PM. I would suggest looking forward, not backward.

Fifth, Mr. Tan Chuan Jin is Speaker of the House. He is not part of the current Singapore administration, and it may be helpful to see his comments in that light.

Finally, what may be most useful to recall here is that Singapore abides by international law, including ICJ rulings. Following claims based on various historical Malay kingdoms (yes, plural) is only going to call into question boundaries with Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand, not just Singapore. I am not sure that is what Malaysia as a whole really wants to do.

Thus far, no other high-level Singaporean leader or diplomat has responded to Mahathir’s remarks. This lack of response lends some credence to the Associate Professor’s observations that Mahathir’s relevancy is withering.

Since you have made it to the end of the article, follow Wake Up Singapore on Telegram!