Singapore

Singapore intends to promote the Indonesian and Malaysian languages in the predominantly Chinese city-state, with the government expected to launch a programme in two years. Founding premier Lee Kuan Yew says that the affluent island's language deficiency was highlighted during Singapore's military deployment to help Indonesia after last year's tsunami disaster hit its northern Aceh province. Though bilateral relations have warmed following the aid assistance and several high-level meetings, improved communicative abilities should strengthen Singapore's ties with its Muslim and Malay neighbours in the longer term.

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