The S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) published a dialogue between Malaysia's prime minister-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim and RSIS Senior Fellow Yang Razali Kassim.

The dialogue was on Anwar's thoughts about his vision, political succession in Malaysia and Malaysia's place in the region.

Work among neighbours

When asked about the difficulties between Singapore and Malaysia since Mahathir Mohamad became Prime Minister again and whether relations will improve after Mahathir's time, Anwar said that relations between Singapore and Malaysia should transcend "strict dollars and sense, rule and order".

Here's the exchange:

Yang Razali: The return of Tun Mahathir as PM has somewhat revived some old difficulties between Malaysia and Singapore, such as over water and now HSR. They were smooth-sailing under former premier Najib. Do you think this relationship will improve in the years after Prime Minister Mahathir?

Anwar: It will improve. But I think it is not just because of Mahathir. I think if you see the relationship under (then) prime minister Najib at that time as good, it’s not necessarily something positive, because some deals are suspect, dubious. Some of the positions taken by Singapore, the political views, are considered by many particularly those in the opposition (then) to be excessive. But I think we have to move on. So it is quite right for Mahathir to raise those issues. But I think what is important is to continue to engage to try to resolve and move beyond these two issues. Bottomline is we have to work together.

I have said this earlier to (then) PM (Goh) Chok Tong at that time. For Singapore the problem is we in Malaysia take it like... how to say it... not so business-like, but also (stress) the cultural angle, which we feel that Singapore lacks -- strict dollars and sense, rule and order.

I mean, you work among neighbours, the relationship should transcend that a bit. But I don’t think that it is something substantial, too prohibitive in terms of forging that sort of relationship. The initial visit by Prime Minister (Lee) Hsien Loong gave a signal that he wants to move on, to forge this sort of good relations with Malaysia. I can sense Malaysian leaders are encouraged to visit (Singapore), no inhibitions. Similarly, Singapore leaders are coming regularly, which I think is a good signal.

YR: You are saying that it would be better if Singapore becomes less business-like?

Anwar: No, I am saying Singapore as a country is built on that ruggedness. I am not questioning that. But I think realities are realities -- the socio-cultural fabric (is) something we tend to be more relaxed about.

Singaporeans react

The particular part on cross-straits relations was picked up by Today.

In its Facebook caption, Today noted: "Singapore should not be “so businesslike” in its relationship with Malaysia, said Mr Anwar Ibrahim. He added that "the bottomline" is to work together."

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The post elicited reactions from Singaporeans who took issue with Anwar's comments:

Anwar is supposed to take over Mahathir as Prime Minister of Malaysia after two years. Mahathir had earlier told the media that he was prepared to stay beyond the two years if the Malaysian public wished so.

Top image from Anwar Ibrahim's Facebook page