The sayings of Lee Kuan Yew cause a ruckus across the causeway By Susan Berfield What they said It s not difficult to brush off criticism from those at a distance. But when those nearby find fault, it is harder to dismiss the disparagement as ignorant or ill-informed.
Few neighbors seem to be as sensitive to such proximate slights as Singapore and Malaysia.
Theirs can be a prickly relationship, as a recent incident shows. The sting this time came from Singapore Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew. He described the Malaysian state of Johor, linked to Singapore by a causeway, as notorious for shootings, muggings and carjackings. The anger of Malaysians was swift and unrelenting. Lee s apology was prompt and, he said, unreserved.