Singapore today called for an end to the long-standing acrimony that has plagued relations with neighbour Malaysia as it laid the groundwork for Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's first visit here as Malaysian prime minister.

Foreign Minister S Jayakumar told parliament it was time to open a new chapter between the two nations, stressing warmer ties would be of mutual benefit.

"I think the challenge for both sides in the new era is to look for ways of starting a new chapter in bilateral relations," Jayakumar said ahead of Abdullah's one-day visit here next Monday.

"Yes, there are issues from the old era which have to be addressed but we have to find a way of addressing them in a way that we do not re-open the acrimonious past which we have travelled in previous years."

Since leaving the Malaysian federation and becoming an independent nation in 1965, majority-Chinese Singapore has been locked in a wide range of disputes with its Malay-Muslim neighbour.

The two nations are currently locked in legal battle over land reclamation works Singapore is carrying out in waters between their borders.

Water problem

Other sources of tension include the price of raw water Malaysia supplies to Singapore, a prospective bridge linking the countries, the use of Malaysian airspace by Singaporean aircraft and ownership of a rocky islet.

Hopes of better ties increased after Abdullah met with his Singaporean counterpart, Goh Chok Tong, on the sidelines of a regional meeting in Tokyo late last year.

It was the first time the pair had met since Abdullah took over from Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Oct 31.

"I am certain that both Prime Minister Goh and Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi will discuss issues in the same positive and forward-looking manner as in their first meeting in Tokyo," Jayakumar said ahead of Abdullah's trip.

No agenda has been set for the meeting between Abdullah and Goh but Singapore is open to any issues and proposals Abdullah may want to raise during his visit, Jayakumar said. - AFP