Singapore views the Iskandar Development Region (IDR) as a threat and has been sending gangsters into Johor to disrupt the development free trade zone, charged a backbencher from Johor today.

Joining this MP, another backbencher added that the recent informal talks at Langkawi between Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong looked as tough Malaysia was giving in easily to its southern neighbour.

The informal talks covered topics including the ambitious IDR project which spans a 2,200 sq free trade area to be constructed in south-east Johor.

"Singapore still think they're better than our country," said Ronald Kiandee (BN - Beluran) during question time in Parliament today.

He said through "chemistry" and "body language", Singapore was seen to have gained the advantage in the talks.

"Does the government see this as though they are belittling us ... is the source of this the IDR which will be exploited by Singapore for their economic benefit," he asked in a question to the Foreign Ministry.

In replying this, Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said, "It is not a matter of who is superior or not. That does not crop up in the relationship.

"It's only because Singapore's social and political climate differ from us that they are sometimes taken by surprise by our polemic discussions on a variety of issues in Malaysia."

"Should they be interested to take part in IDR, it must be on our terms, not solely on what Singapore wants ... We are both sovereign nations," he said.

Look at the big picture

Joining in the debate, Mohamad Aziz Mohamed (BN - Sri Gading) said Singapore does not hold Malaysia's interest at heart.

"The attitude of Singapore leaders is not the same as the people [in both countries] where people could sit together in coffee shops and make jokes as though they are brothers."

"Singapore never stops, although I understand Malaysia's (prosper thy neighbour) philosophy of wanting a rich and developed neighbour.

"Recently the Senior Minister in Singapore said Umno Johor is not interested in welcoming investment in IDR. This is one statement we cannot understand as our leaders have been welcoming investment from all nations, including Singapore," he said.

"But if you follow the sentiments of us Johoreans, Singapore does not want this IDR to develop. They send gangsters to spoil the image of Johor Bahru as though Johor Bahru is the hotspot for thugs and gangsters, causing people to be afraid to invest in Johor Bahru," he added.

In reply, Syed Hamid said bilateral ties were good and Malaysia was looking at the big picture.

"I don't think we should take the view of one minister (from Singapore), but the view of the Singaporean government as a whole.

"In our meeting with their leaders, they have expressed interest investing in IDR. If we were to take views based on historical baggage or narrow perspectives, then we would be carried away with emotion," said Syed Hamid.

Foreign companies investing in IDR can have 100 percent ownership of their businesses and the government has been keen to promote foreign direct investment, in particular from Singapore.