A Singaporean political analyst sees the relationship between Malaysia and Singapore moving foward fast after Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's eight-day visit last week.

Alan Chong of the National University of Singapore described Lee's first trip in nearly a decade to Malaysia as bringing "hope and consolidation".

lee kuan yew state visit to malaysia 110609 02 "After Lee's trip, the relationship between the two countries has improved tremendously," Chong said.

Lee, Singapore's first premier, visited several states such as Selangor, Perak, Pahang, Penang, Kelantan and Negeri Sembilan.

Apart from meeting prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, four Sultans and menteris besar, the 85-year-old Lee also met both Barisan Nasional (BN) and the opposition party leaders.

Politically correct

The media in Singapore, according to Chong, tried to be "politically correct" and "played it safe" when they were reporting on Lee's visit.

"The media had highlighted the improvement in foreign relations between both countries as reflected in news reports from both neighbours," Chong said.

"For example, Lee's comments on the lack of development in Penang were not reported by any of the Singapore media," Chong added.

lee kuan yew visit lim guan eng and penang gerakan 150609 02 During Lee's visit to Penang, he had commented that the development in the state was inferior compared to Ipoh and Seremban.

Gerakan deputy president Datuk Chang Ko Youn remarked that it was easy for Lee "to pass judgment. He was just there (Penang) for one day, how much do you know from such a short visit?" Chang was quoted as saying in Star .

But Chong interpreted Lee's statement as one who is willing to be frank about what he thought is lacking in Penang as he understands very well the personalities of both the former and current Penang chief ministers, Koh Tsu Koon and Lim Guan Eng.

"Singapore and Penang are so similar to each other in the sense that they both began as British colonies and ports," he said.

"Hence Lee's comments were meant to encourage Penang to make improvements. This should not be politicised and should not spoil the relationship between both countries."

Chong said Singaporeans have had enough of the polarisation of the past and the last thing they want is a return to that period.

"In general, Singaporeans are optimistic about the progress in the relationship between both countries, and we are more than happy to cooperate with Malaysia in any technically feasible projects," he noted.

Bloggers negative

Chong expressed surprise that bloggers have been "unnecessarily negative" giving various interpretations on the motive of the Singaporean leader's visit to Malaysia.

lee kuan yew state visit to malaysia 110609 05 According to Chong, Lee's meeting with political leaders from BN and PKR should be viewed as a bridge between both parties to resolve long standing issues that had begun long before the current leadership changes in both countries.

"Although Lee had publicly stated that he preferred to deal with BN in Selangor, he did not mean to say that the other parties in the Pakatan coalition are bad," Chong said.

"Enlightened Malaysian politicians will understand his real intention; therefore there should not be unnecessary speculation over Lee's visit to Malaysia."

On Dr M's reluctance

Commenting on Dr Mahathir Mohamad's lack of enthusiasm to meet Lee, Chong said the former Malaysian premier needs a "certain degree of distance from Lee's visit" to ensure that his comments would not undermine Najib.

"I am sure Mahathir had his own reasons for not meeting Lee," Chong said.

"Even if he did meet Lee, it would not have had much effect on improving relationships between the two countries."