IPOH, MALAYSIA: Malaysia-Singapore ties will always remain strong despite long-standing bilateral issues, said Singapore's High Commissioner to Malaysia T. Jasudasen.

Likening the relationship to that of an "iceberg", he said: "You may only see about 10% of it sticking out of the water, but underneath lies the larger base - a strong and sturdy foundation," he said during a talk organised by the Perak Academy at Syuen Hotel here yesterday.

Jasudasen believed disagreements over the transfer of sovereignty of Pedra Branca to Singapore, the price of water sold to Singapore, the 1990 Points of Agreement on Malaysia's railway land in Singapore and the scrapping of a proposed "crooked bridge" to replace the Causeway would not damage bilateral ties.

"Like your Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) himself said, we are like neighbours in a semi-detached home, and whatever we do affects the other.

"No matter what the challenges are, we must never let it get out of hand."

Jasudesan pointed out that both big and small-time Malaysian investors had opened businesses in Singapore and vice-versa.

"Even your Ipoh Oldtown Kopitiam has a branch in Singapore," he quipped.