Singapore and Malaysia have always had their differences. It's part of Singapore's history. I am neither historian nor expert; hell, I've been here for only 3 years. It's hardly time enough for you to know the country even if you do study its history. But some things you do realize in that time.
Singapore, being an island as you know, was once a Malay territory. And I've been told it became independent because at certain point in time the Malays said "Hmmm... There are way too many Chinese in that island...". Chinese are not Muslims and they have their own way of behaving, you know. So it made sense to come to a friendly agreement and just "politically expel" them.
That's what they did. They made sure they had a good deal by ensuring land and jobs and opportunities would still be granted for them and "expelled" that "annoying" little thing.
Well, but as I said, the Chinese have their ways and I'm willing to bet Malays never expected such a small piece of land with barely any natural resources to become so rich.
If you cross the bridge to Malaysia (built by Singapore) and have a look at Johor Baruh, first city after the immigration, what you will see resembles what Singapore used to be in the 70's, shortly after the independence treat. It becomes obvious that Singapore underwent a huge renovation while Malaysia, well... Didn't!
Still today, based on the treaty that was so unilateral, Malays have their interests protected in Singapore. They will have benefits no other race in Singapore will have. For example, by law, a certain percentage of apartments in HDB flats (economic dwellings created by the government) must be available to Malay buyers at a discounted price. It doesn't matter if there are buyers or not. If there aren't, those units are to be available just the same.
There are lots of other situations and cases where Malays are protected or simply benefit from the law but I'm getting off track too much, diverting from the topic. The important thing to know is: Malays have all benefits and still complain.
It's like having a healthy male adult complaining he is being abused or taken advantage of by a 6 month baby girl.
The latest case and reason for the post is the 'water issue'. It's been in the papers and sounds so absurd it borders the ridiculous. Singapore has no water resources. The agreement set the price of the water supplied by Malaysia. There was a date when the price was to be reviewed and adjusted. Malaysia 'forgot' about it and missed the date. When they realized it, they came complaining. Singapore agreed to review the price despite the inefficiency of the Malay government. The price doubled.
Two years later, way before the next adjustment date, Malaysia started complaining again. Singapore ceded and a new adjustment was made. Another couple of years passed and guess what? Yep, Malays came whining again. Now they are advertising in every paper that Singapore had an enormous profit on re-selling the water they bought so cheap and that this is not fair. The latest I read even mentioned that "each Singaporean would have to pay only a couple of cents, less then a bite of a Big Mac, for an entire year supply of water".
Don't this people realize they are making a mockery of themselves? Check the news on both Singaporean and Malaysean papers, the "Straits Times" and "The New Straits Times" respectively.
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