Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tongs remark that it will reduce dependence of water on Malaysia will not solve bilateral problems significantly between the two countries. What no one wants to admit is that in the end it is about two neighbours with divergent philosophies but each lacks the leadership to overcome its respective shortcomings.

Malaysia has long ago adopted a policy that accepts racial and religious segregation and discrimination. Not only do Malaysian political leaders separate the country among themselves but also from the outside world. Singapore, on the other hand, is so paranoid about segregation that it strives to continuously integrate itself with the rest of the world.

Malaysian leaders have no qualms running their economy and politics on a racially-based system or falling back on protectionist policies and holding anti-West and anti-global views. Singapore leaders on the other hand have been almost overzealous about homogeneity among itself and goes overboard in their adoption of global best practices.

The truth is that neither Malaysia nor Singapore has the political will to overcome their bilateral problems. Singapore is obsessed with its own economic agenda; not even consulting Malaysia when it wants to reclaim an island close to its neighbour is nothing short of cowardice.

Malaysia obviously has poor political leaders who always blame others before and after the facts are fully known. Like feuding neighbours, Singapore and Malaysian leaders are unable to see anything beyond themselves unless someone or something else come along.

Water and trade are what actually keeps Singapore and Malaysia together because otherwise, the political leaders may not even talk to each other! When forced to talk to each other over the issues, the leaders may gain a better understanding of each other.

They may not like each other but it is silly to think that having less to do with each other makes them better neighbours. Singapore-Malaysia relation is about a great political, social and economic divide. It may take generations before both sides can overcome their differences.