Lee Kuan Yew and Malaysia

Lee Kuan Yew’s relationship with Malaysia can best be summed up in two words—managed tensions. Three key characteristics explain his attitude towards Malaysia. The first is of course the separation of Singapore from Malaysia in 1965. He has gone on record many times on how he regretted not being able to make the federation work. Lee Kuan Yew was the key mover in getting the support of North Borneo (now Sabah) and Sarawak for the proposed federation. He really saw the future of Singapore as part of the federation. The separation forced him to come up with a new strategy on how to make Singapore a successful independent state.