"We certainly do not want to return to the era of confrontational diplomacy and barbed rhetoric between our two countries. It was an era that we want to forget."

This was what Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said to the media at the joint press conference with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for the 8th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders' Retreat (January 16 2018).

With these remarks in response to questions about how the Singapore and Malaysia governments will ensure that long-term bilateral projects would not be affected by political changes, Najib fired another salvo to his election rival across the causeway, former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, adding that "we certainly do not want to come back to that era".

Earlier in the same press conference at the Istana, Najib said that "we believe in good relations with our neighbours, with Singapore, and we have proven that we can bring tangible benefits to the people, if we work closely together".

In another jibe at his 92-year old rival, Najib added, "So this is the position of our government. The other side may have other ideas".

Compare and contrast

It was an extremely fruitful and productive meeting between the leaders of the two countries. This year's highlight, among the many negotiations discussed and agreements, must be the confirmation of the joint venture between SMRT and Prasarana Malaysia to run the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link between Singapore and Johor.

It was a electorally productive trip for Najib too. He was able to use the two-day leaders' retreat in Singapore to highlight the good state of bilateral relations and contrast it with the simmering tensions between KL and Singapore under Mahathir.

Afterall, this annual Singapore-Malaysian Leaders' retreat started eight years ago between Najib and PM Lee.

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Malaysia-Singapore "bilateral relations are in very good shape"

As Ambassador-at-large Tommy Koh noted in PM Lee's ten years anniversary as premier, PM Lee's "most important foreign policy achievement is in our relations with Malaysia".

Koh noted how both the leaders enjoyed a "warm and collegial relationship", and they had resolved the long-standing dispute over Malaysian railway land.

Resolving the dispute had of course "unlocked the door to new areas of cooperation", that ranged from our 90-minute KL-Singapore high-speed railway to the joint investments by Temasek and Khazanah in Iskandar Malaysia and Singapore.

So the million dollar question: Will Malaysian GE affect the nature of bilateral relations?

In response to a question by the Singapore media about the impact of Malaysian polls on bilateral relations, Najib said that the outcome of the Malaysian GE would not change the nature of relations between the two countries.

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This drew an immediate quip from PM Lee, who said that this is "because you have confidence in the result", which drew laughter from both the leaders.

You can watch the full press conference here: