Although I oppose Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's racist remarks on Singapore, I also think Singapore deserves it. Did not Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew declare public support for Umno during his visit to Kuala Lumpur after the 1999 general election?

Read the Singapore Straits Times and we would find Mahathir and Umno have always been glorified as savior and defender of 'secularism', 'modernity' and 'moderation'. It may really be a sandiwara for Umno and PAP to attack each other for the consumption of the credulous, malleable and timid on both sides of the causeway. It benefits both Umno and PAP.

On a more serious note, Singapore is in fact not that vulnerable vis-a-vis Malaysia. Singaporeans would be silly to believe that Malaysia would dare to attack a place where the US military presence is strong, and Western interests are deep-rooted in businesses, finance and economy. Attacking Singapore is tantamount to declaring war on the United States and the West.

In fact, both the Malaysian and Singaporean Armed Forces have excellent relationship under the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), and both countries are located within the area of responsibility of the United States' Pacific Command. There will be no war between Malaysia and Singapore.

These 'wars' of words are merely bogeys for Umno and PAP to maintain psychological grip on their countries.