Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and his successor-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim have agreed on a number on key "strategies" with regards to government policy.

On Jan. 2, Anwar announced in a tweet that he had met with Mahathir.

He said that Mahathir had the full backing of the Pakatan Harapan coalition to continue leading the country for the "agreed-upon" duration.

Anwar added that he had agreed with Mahathir on the "same strategy" regarding Singapore.

3. I shared the details of my recent meeting with President Duterte, & asked for Tun’s guidance for my meeting with PM Modi next week.

4. Tun M & I agreed on the same strategies re Singapore and our focus on the economy, especially wrt to poverty & inequality.

— Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) January 2, 2019

Territorial disputes

Singapore and Malaysia are currently embroiled in a few disputes.

Malaysian government vessels have intruded into Singapore territorial waters.

And Malaysia has objected to what it sees as an issue of sovereignty over the Southern Johor airspace, despite the fact that Singapore's management of air traffic is down to efficiency and safety concerns.

On Dec. 31, 2018, Singapore government heavyweights Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean and Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat visited Malaysia to meet with Mahathir themselves.

They were there to deliver a message on behalf of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) later announced that the Foreign Ministers of both countries, Vivian Balakrishnan and Saifuddin Abdullah, will meet in Singapore on Jan. 8.

There are also plans for Transport Ministers Khaw Boon Wan and Anthony Loke to meet, although a date has not been confirmed.

Domestic, not international audience

Anwar's public backing of Mahathir comes at a crucial time in Singapore-Malaysia relations.

At face value, it seems that Anwar has publicly committed to continuing Mahathir's policies.

But Anwar's decision may also be aimed at a domestic audience, intent on presenting an image of party solidarity at a time when public resentment against the government is growing.

On Dec. 8, 55,000 Malaysians gathered in Kuala Lumpur to protest the government's intent to adopt the UN International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).

The tensions within the Pakatan Harapan coalition has already resulted in Anwar's daughter, Nurul Izzah, resigning as Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice president. 

In fact, Anwar said that she was "sick and tired of the deception and machinations of those who are far more interested in playing politics instead of focusing on helping the rakyat (people) they purport to serve".

Also, Anwar's tweet was worded in a way that did not rule out a change in approach, perhaps in a more conciliatory direction.

In his New Year's Eve address, PM Lee said, "Singapore and Malaysia must manage specific problems, however difficult, while preserving the overall relationship. The way to do so is through equality and mutual respect, upholding international commitments and the rule of law."

In other words, Singapore will adopt the same and consistent diplomatic approach, no matter whether Mahathir or Anwar is in charge.

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Top image from Anwar Ibrahim's Twitter page