Quora Answer: Why Does Lee Hsien Loong Not Communicate with His Malaysian & Indonesian Counterparts in Malay?

The following is my answer to a Quora question: “Why does Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong communicate with the Malaysian Prime Minister and Indonesian President in English despite the national language of all three countries being Malay?  Should Malay not be used given that he is fluent in Malay and that can stabilise relations?” 

Firstly, Malay is not the national language of all three countries.  The national language of Singapore is Malay.  The national language of Malaysia is Bahasa Malaysia, which is almost identical to Malay, with slight differences in idiomatic phrasing.  The national language of Indonesia is Bahasa Indonesia, which is a form of standardised Malay, but distinct from Malay.  The same word may have vastly different meanings in Malay or Bahasa Malaysia, and in Bahasa Indonesia.  The variety of Malay spoken in in Singapore and Malaysia is a distinct dialect from Bahasa Indonesia.  This means there is a great possibility of misunderstanding. 

Secondly, the Federation of Malaysia, and Indonesia have a difficult history, the Konfrontasi.  Using one dialect would be unacceptable to the other due to national pride.  This is asking for trouble. 

Finally, English is the primary language of international diplomacy.  Treaties, agreements, and documentation may need to be filed at various supranational organisations such as the International Court of Arbitration, various United Nations Bodies, or the International Monetary Fund.  It is a matter of practicality.