KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has affirmed that Singapore's diplomatic ties with Israel will not have any bearing on Malaysia's relationship with its neighbouring nation.
He emphasised that both Malaysia and Singapore share a common stance, having voted in favour of the United Nations ceasefire and humanitarian resolution amid the Palestine-Israel conflict.
Anwar said Malaysia ought to show a stronger position as the matter is not related to the incidents that happened two weeks ago.
It is more of a political disposition by Israel for decades, the prime minister added.
"A country cannot continue to colonise another Palestine land, but what is critical for now is, of course, peace and stop killing of civilians, including women and babies.
"The sentiments shown by Malaysia are strong (towards Palestine), but we (Malaysia and Singapore) have expressed our position for a peaceful resolution.
"Humanitarian assistance is paramount," Anwar said in the joint press conference today.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said though it has diplomatic relations with Israel, it also has friendly relations with the Palestine Authority (PA).
He also said Singapore had made repeated statements condemning the violence and human tragedy of civilians and hoped both Israel and Palestine would soon make progress for the two-state solution.
"We understand Malaysia's position is not the same as ours.
"The diplomatic situation is not identical, but there is no reason to cause a difficulty between the relations of both the countries," he said.
Both the country leaders met for the 10th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders' Retreat held in Singapore.