Singapore, Aug 8 (DPA) The marriage was unhappy and short-lived. In September 1963, Malaya and Singapore tied the knot to form the state of Malaysia which also included Sarawak and Sabah.

But what seemed to be a logical finalisation of century-long strong economic ties between neighbours came to an end just two years later, as rising fears among Malays over Singapore wanting to dominate the new state led to a break-up.

Singapore was kicked out of the federation. On Aug 9, 1965, the tiny island at the foot of the Malaysian peninsula became the independent Republic of Singapore, which celebrates its 44th birthday this weekend.

'Singapore had independence thrust upon it,' said Lee Kuan Yew, the city-state's then prime minister.

Although his fears that an independent Singapore 'was simply not viable' proved unfounded, relations between Singapore and Malaysia remained strained for decades after the split.

But now the tide seems to have turned, with an introductory visit by Malaysia's new Prime Minister Najib Razak to Singapore in May and a trip by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew to Malaysia in June breaking new ground.

'It was a taboo not long ago for top Malaysian politicians to mention their southern neighbour in complimentary terms,' said K. Kesavapany, director of Singapore's Institute of South-East Asian Studies.

When Datuk Nik Aziz, chief minister of Malaysia's Kelantan state and spiritual leader of the opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia, met with Lee, he praised the city-state for its anti-corruption stance and its success in keeping the city clean.

A press photo showed Nik Aziz shaking hands with Lew and giving the thumbs-up.

'It illustrated vividly the changes that have taken place in Malaysia and how Malaysian leaders view Singapore,' commented Kesavapany in the Straits Times newspaper.

During his visit to Singapore premier Najib said 'thorny bilateral issues' should not hamper whatever progress could be achieved in other areas.

He called for closer cooperation in economic fields and also suggested a third bridge between the two countries, thus touching one of those 'thorny issues'.