Singapore will stand up 'firmly' when challenged: Lee Junior

DEPUTY prime minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday called for sensitivity in bilateral relations with Malaysia, but said the country would stand up ``firmly'' when challenged.

Mr Lee's remarks came after last week's comments by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad that Singapore was the source of negative rumours on Dr Mahathir's health and the market chaos in Malaysia.

``We must manage this relationship sensitively to avoid causing unnecessary offence, and co-operate pragmatically for mutual benefit wherever possible,'' Mr Lee said. ``Yet we must stand up quietly but firmly for ourselves and for Singapore, especially when challenged.''

Dr Mahathir had said last week: ``From Singapore, you get three rumours a day and Malaysians react in full faith on those rumours. Malaysians however are very good. They do not start rumours about Singapore.''

Mr Lee's speech made no reference to Dr Mahathir's remarks, although he cited an example of the strain in relations when his father, Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew, made disparaging remarks earlier this year about law and order in the Malaysian state of Johore.

The remarks elicited an outburst against Singapore. The elder Mr Lee, a former prime minister, apologised twice publicly and withdrew the comments. - AFP