Malaysia’s decision to scrap the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) was driven by a desire to reduce the country’s national debt, and should not be seen as a move to spite Singapore, said political analysts on both sides of the Causeway.

Neither is it an ominous sign for bilateral relations under Dr Mahathir Mohamad, 92, in his second stint as prime minister, they added.

Dr Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman, coordinator of the Malaysia Programme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) said that Malaysia’s stance on HSR and Pedra Branca indicates that it is shifting away from implementing domestic and foreign policies for political gains.

“The message of the new PH government has been consistent thus far. Whatever policies that will be introduced from now on, they have to benefit Malaysians economically,” he added.