Quora Answer: How can Singapore Punish Malaysia without Going to War?

The following is my answer to a Quora question: “How can Singapore punish Malaysia without going to war if Malaysia presses our button one more time?”

Relationships between nations are not zero-sum equations.  Why would Singapore need to punish Malaysia about anyway?  This is not a squabble among recalcitrant children but disputes on specific issues within a multifaceted relationship.  Ultimately, it is important for Singapore to maintain its international credibility no matter how recalcitrant Malaysia’s current government acts.  We have so much more to gain by taking the higher ground, and being firm without the need for issuing needless threats like members of Malaysia’s current and previous ruling elite. 

For foreign observers, including governments and businesses, this shows that we are mature.  Maturity and stability encourages bilateral relations and foreign investments.  It is this pattern of predictable maturity that has allowed Singapore to overtake Malaysia in all areas of economic development.  When Mahathir bin Mohamad talks about unilaterally reneging on international agreements, and renegotiating treaties that other nations are in the process of ratifying, it tells them that Malaysia is not a desirable partner in bilateral and multilateral agreements since they have little respect for international agreements.  Again, this impacts Malaysia’s standing at a regional and international level. 

Considering this, why should Singapore lower itself to the level of this immature diplomatic behaviour, and be seen at the level of an inexperienced government of a financially stricken developing nation?  It is not a coincidence that in a time when regional currencies are weakening due to trade pressures leading to capital flight, Singapore’s strong current account surplus has allowed its currency to strengthen against regional currencies.  This is the fruit of sound economic policies, and responsible diplomacy.  In a sea of uncertainty, investors have faith in our governance and financial system. 

Malaysia, on the other hand, is busy pantomiming to a domestic audience while the ruling coalition squabbles.  Mahathir is talking about foreign policy as if he is reliving the 1990s.  They will struggle to fulfill any of their major election pledges, and might lose in the next election to a weak opposition if they do not buck up.