Sinkies has grown distaste over CCP over the years, due to the rising geopolitical tensions, and somewhat CCP pressured SG to pick side, SG position is getting more awkward by days
i can understand the reason why Lawrence voiced out to defend Japan, both SG and Japan have similar situation actually, both also being island state, both also scarce in natural resources, both economies heavily rely on sea, and both countries also have very little buffer in case of any assaults happen against them

last time when Mahathir was PM, he always threatened to cut off water supply to SG, until SG had to say any attempt to cut off supply is tantamout to act of war, and that SG has the right to take military action against the water plant facility in Johor

Tun knows fully well Msia lost the ability to economically compete with Sg or militarily threaten Sg from the late 1980s.

Meanwhile Sg will allow Tun to make noise every now and then as it unifies Singkies.They know that Tun is a toothless Tiger in external matters.

Sg gertak jer Tun lari.