(Dewan Rakyat, Monday): This is to give notice under Standing Order 18 to move the following motion:
"That the House gives leave to the Parliamentary Opposition Leader and MP for Tanjong, YB Lim Kit Siang, to move a motion of urgent definite public importance, viz. The latest strain in Malaysia-Singapore relations arising from the Malaysian Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) checkpoint at Tanjong Pagar railway station for the following reasons:
"Immediately after the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) in Manila last week to show the world the greater togetherness which ASEAN countries have forged after three decades of the the regional organisation, the latest spat between Singapore and Malaysia over the moving of the CIQ checkpoint of the two countries from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands is most unseemly and unnecessary.
"The majority of Malaysians and Singaporeans would want the two governments to resolve not only the CIQ issue, but a number of other outstanding issues, amicably without further straining Malaysia-Singapore relations, whether at the people-to-people or government-to-government level, as it does not speak well for good neighbourliness and over three decades of ASEAN spirit and solidarity for Malaysia and Singapore to be at each other's throats as if they have always been implacable enemies.
"If there is a breakdown of government-to-government relations, may be the two Parliaments of Malaysia and Singapore should attempt a rapprochment and an amicable settlement of the outstanding disputes between the two countries, with full mandates given to the Parliamentary delegations of both countries to fully explore and reach a new consensus to build a new Malaysia-Singapore relationship where both countries can co-operate closely for the peace, development, democracy, human rights and the creation of a vibrant regional civil society
"It is regrettable that the Singapore Government had not responded to calls for the deferment of its CIQ to Woodlands on August 1 until an amicable settlement on the issue between the two countries have been reached.
"However, in view of the increasing number of issues which are likely to set Malaysia and Singapore on a path of conflict and confrontation, and in order to help defuse a new round of tensions and bad blood between the two countries, Parliament should formally invite the Singapore Parliament to a Malaysia-Singapore Parliamentary Conference with parliamentary delegations from both countries fully mandated to seek solutions to the CIQ issue and other outstanding Malaysia-Singapore issues."
Yours truly,
Lim Kit Siang
Ketua Pembangkang
(the motion was allowed for debate)
(3/8/98)