Singapore and Malaysia to reunite down the line?

9th June 1996

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad responded positively to Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore's recent statement that he could see a scenario whereby Singapore and Malaysia would reunite. Lee Kuan Yew emphasised that conditions included Malaysia adopting "the same policy of meritocracy as Singapore" and if "Malaysia pursues as successfully the same goals as Singapore". He added that "it will be difficult to achieve for a very long time but I hope it will happen". In response Dr Mahathir commented that Malaysia also practices meritocracy but "based on race" just like in Singapore "which practices a meritocracy which is limited to Nationals only".

Singapore split from Malaysia in 1965 and has been a success story in recent history maintaining its top position in the recent World Competitiveness Survey, almost exclusively under Lee's leadership from 1959 to 1990. Lee is certainly a model of pragmatism. His political adeptness illustrated in his early days by his wooing of the communists to achieve his aims and dropping them when they had outlived their usefulness is well documented. He realises of course the respect that Malaysia has for Singapore and that, more importantly, put in the context of history, a small island state no matter how economically sound surrounded by populous neighbours, is not in the most secure position.

While both leaders skated around stating what they meant by meritocracy, it is obvious they were referring to advantages accorded the Bumiputra race in Malaysia. Malaysia's not so fragile peace since the Emergency and racial riots of now over 2 decades ago has been aided and abetted by deliberate government policy to maintain the political and later economic strength of the indigenous majority Malay race in the face of the more pragmatic and business aptitude gifted Chinese settlers. Lee Kuan Yew's Singapore is perhaps the most successful example of a society and economy dominated by newly arrived Chinese. With a small hardworking migrant majority Chinese population and a strategic shipping and air route position Lee Kuan Yew progressed Singapore at a quite amazing rate and it has only been in recent years that Malaysia has shown similar signs of growth.

Lee also referred to the migration of employees between Singapore and Malaysia, reinforcing the experience of the Recruitment industry in both countries where placement of senior management and professionals across the causeway in both directions has increased markedly recently. A labor shortage in Singapore has meant that executive asking salaries have soared and the alternative of employing just as capable staff from Malaysia has gained popularity. Similarly, Singaporeans are moving to Malaysia for the opportunity of faster advancement and flexibility, despite the relatively lower standard of living.

Various controversial points arise however. The first relates to the unstated acknowledgement by both leaders that Malaysia does indeed want to go the Singapore way. The second is the boast of Lee on Singapore's "meritocracy" that was quite rightly questioned by Mahathir.

Certainly Singapore has been a economic success, but that success has been at the expense of diversity of thought and individual freedoms. It has also involved the destruction of a large part of its heritage. There would be some who would question, but in a different way, Singapore's claim to "meritocracy". While corruption has been contained and there is no formal "positive discrimination" as practiced in Malaysia, informal structures emphasise the Chinese principle of "contacts" and patronage is well established. Success in Singapore is more related to accident of birth than ability than many successful Singaporeans would admit. It is also arguable that Malaysia's society is far more advanced. Recent Singapore government acknowledged failings of society such as the lack of cultural pursuits and social niceties reinforces the differences while Malaysia can lay claim to possibly the most successful multi-racial society on earth.

There may well be a long way to go before reunification, but it may be for different reasons than recently stated altogether..