23 April 2002

across the causeway

thought of the day:
"why can't singaporeans and malaysians get along?"

malaysia and singapore are inextricably linked in many ways, such that it is almost impossible to imagine one country surviving without the other. the societies of both countries share a common history and many families have cross-border ties. businesses across the causeway rely on each other as well as compete with each other.

so why can't we all get along?!?!

the usual arguments about malaysia's "elder brother" attitude, the jealousies of malaysians at singapore's riches, singaporeans' arrongance, malaysians' lackadaisical attitudes on contractual agreements, et al, are no doubt true.

but is there another perspective to the whole picture?