M'SIA, S'PORE MUST INVEST IN ENERGY, EFFORT TO IMPROVE TIES

JOHOR BAHARU (Malaysia), Nov 8 (Bernama) -- To further develop the existing friendship and cordial ties, Malaysia and Singapore must invest in time, energy and effort to embrace the new dynamics of the regional and global environment.

Foreign Minister Rais Yatim said both countries should adapt
habits and approaches which propel them into a new synergistic partnership for
the future.

Speaking at the 9th Wisma Putra-Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore Games
2008 informal get-together dinner in Senai here tonight, he said the bilateral
relationship had matured over the years.

"At times, it may appear to be stormy to outisders...we have ironed out our
differences through negotiations, dialogues and consultation," he said.

With the linkage that Johor had with Singapore, Rais called for a greater
economic collaboration and investment between both countries in the Iskandar
Malaysia project.

Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo said Malaysia and Singapore
intertwined with each other as both shared similar language, history and
culture.

Echoing Rais' remark, he was optimistic that both countries could
strengthen their ties further in the future.

One hundred and four diplomatic officers and staff of both ministries
competed with each other in bowling, badminton and golf in the two-day
event.

Rais and Yeo, each with their spouses, would play against one another in a
badminton match tomorrow morning at the Asiatic Indrapura Sports City here.