My goodness! Someone finally has the courage to tell it like it is ('S'pore - a 'nation of shopkeepers'). Now stand by for the salvoes and rebuttals from the Singaporeans.

The problems between Malaysia and Singapore are more fundamental than the arguments over the supply and pricing of water. The basic problem is the difference in mindset of the political elite in both countries and the socio-economic systems each has put in place in their country.

Add to this the inevitable racial angle and you get an inflammable mixture which can be set off by the slightest spark.

I would guess that much of the Singapore angst comes from a deeply-felt sense of insecurity. Geography and demographics have placed the republic in a neighbourhood where it much rather not be.

Given that it has to make the best of what is out there, it looks to cultivate powerful patrons and to make itself a potent presence in the worlds of international finance, business and services.

The rationale here is that the more foreigners have a stake in the Singapore economy, the less likely they would be content to be on the sidelines if a major confrontation takes place between the republic and one of its larger, poorer neighbours.

And Singapore has played this game brilliantly - as can be witnessed by the fact that it participates in almost every international conference, exhibition, meeting, etc and plays up the fact that it is a "first world country in a third world neighbourhood" and that it will always have a competitive edge over its neighbours.

As for Malaysia, what can one say? The country had its opportunities - many of them - but blew them big-time.

Racially-biased politics, a tainted education system, skewed affirmative action policies, a dire misstep in downgrading English in schools and universities, and a whole system of patronage politics coupled with an unsavoury business-political nexus - all of these have played a part in holding Malaysia back from true greatness.

I have often wondered why people don't realise that it would have been so very easy for Malaysia to overtake and surpass Singapore in any field worth mentioning. Even now, it is possibly not too late.

Perhaps the incoming premier's administration will have the courage and the forward-looking capability to do what needs to be done.

There are any number of analyses and think tank reports which detail the measures that have to be taken. Will any of them be taken seriously by Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his coterie of advisors?

Let's wait and see. Perhaps Singapore's angst will be heightened when the poor 'kampung cousins' up north finally make good. Now, wouldn't that be a sight to behold?