SINGAPORE – On his first official visit to Singapore since becoming Malaysia’s Prime Minister again, Dr Mahathir Mohamad described the two countries as “twins”, although one is "older and bigger" than the other.

Speaking at an official lunch hosted by Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana on Monday (Nov 12), Dr Mahathir also said bilateral relations have been "reasonably harmonious", and stressed the need for healthy competition between the two neighbours. 

He said: “Malaysia and Singapore are like twins in a way, except that perhaps the elder twin is a little bit bigger than the younger twin and a little bit older.

“But we have been able to live together in reasonably harmonious terms. It is not often that you see countries which come together and then separated and then still be able to work together and help each other.”

Dr Mahathir is on a two-day official visit here — his first since the Pakatan Harapan coalition which he led took power following Malaysia’s historic polls in May.

Despite differences, Dr Mahathir said both countries are mutually dependent and stressed the need to continue good relations.

While there is strong competition between Malaysia and Singapore, he noted that such competition is “always healthy” as it spurs Malaysia to do better and grow even faster.

“Singapore has got no hinterland but must regard Malaysia as its hinterland. On the other hand, for a very long time, Malaysia had to depend on Singapore for its exports and imports because Singapore has developed into a great port that is comparable to any of the greatest in the world,” he said.

“I hope that this visit will cement the strong relations between the two countries and grow the relations together so that each one of us benefits (by being) two neighbours which are not at odds with each other, but at times competing with each other but most of the time working with each other.”

In his speech, Mr Lee reaffirmed the close friendship between Singapore and Malaysia. Both countries are bound by geography and history, with their economies extensively intertwined.

Both countries are each other’s second-largest trading partners, he added. The relationship is further strengthened “by bonds of kinship, friendship and memories” since Singaporeans have friends and relatives who live, study or work across the Causeway. “And we feel at home when we visit each other,” added Mr Lee.

Mr Lee pointed out that Dr Mahathir has worked with Singapore on projects that have “lasting benefits”, citing the Second Link in Tuas and the Linggiu Dam in Johor Bahru.

Both leaders met earlier in the day, with Mr Lee describing it as a “good meeting” in which they discussed ways to deepen bilateral co-operation.

He called it a continuation of their discussion in Putrajaya in May, when Mr Lee became the second foreign leader — after Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah — to meet Dr Mahathir after Pakatan Harapan took over government.

“Singapore and Malaysia will always have a unique place for each other in our hearts,” said Mr Lee. “And because of our proximity and interdependence, we will always have an interest in each other’s development and success.”

On the first day of his visit on Monday, Dr Mahathir also met President Halimah Yacob.

An orchid variant was named after Dr Mahathir and his wife Dr Siti Hasmah, who is accompanying him on the trip.

On Tuesday, Dr Mahathir will be conferred an honorary doctorate by the National University of Singapore and will have a private lunch with Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.

He is also set to deliver a keynote speech at the Asean Business and Investment Summit.

Relations between both countries had been frosty at times during Dr Mahathir’s first stint as premier from 1981 to 2003.

There were concerns that relations between the two countries might return to a confrontational stance following the Malaysian leader’s comments over the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) project and water prices.

Dr Mahathir has said in recent months he wants to increase the price of raw water supply to Singapore by more than 10 times, although Singapore reiterated that the 1962 Water Agreement is "a fundamental agreement that was guaranteed by both governments in the 1965 Separation Agreement which was registered with the United Nations", and must be fully complied with.

And after months of uncertainty, the HSR project was formally postponed in September for nearly two years, with Malaysia to pay abortive costs of S$15 million to Singapore by January next year.