Maritime dispute: Singapore 'disappointed' Malaysia refuses to pull back port limits
SINGAPORE: Singapore is "disappointed" that Malaysia is unable to accede to Singapore’s proposal return to the status quo before it extended the Johor Bahru port limits, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Monday (Dec 10) in response to its Malaysian's counterpart's statement earlier this evening.
"Maritime boundary claims can be made under international law, in accordance with established procedures, without needing to have ships facing off against one another ... Malaysia will be responsible for any untoward situations on the ground that arise from continued deployment of its vessels into this area," said MFA.
AdvertisementThe ministry's statement is reproduced in full:
The Malaysian foreign affairs ministry had earlier issued a statement saying it would take "all effective measures to de-escalate the situation on the ground".
AdvertisementAdvertisementHowever, the Malaysian government "is unable to accede" to Singapore's "counter-proposal" of a return to the status quo prior to Oct 25, 2018, it said.
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad had also commented on the maritime issue saying that Malaysia will negotiate with Singapore regarding the ongoing dispute, but there was no decision on removing Malaysian government vessels from Singapore waters for now.
[h=3]READ: Singapore, Malaysia maritime dispute: A timeline[/h]There have been 14 intrusions by Malaysian government vessels in Singapore territorial waters in the last two weeks, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said at a media briefing last Thursday.
These intrusions came after Malaysia extended its Johor port limits on Oct 25, encroaching into Singapore waters off Tuas.
Malaysia has called for both countries to "cease and desist" from sending assets into a "disputed area" - a proposal Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday said it did not agree with, calling for a "return to the status quo ante before Oct 25, 2018".
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SINGAPORE: Singapore is "disappointed" that Malaysia is unable to accede to Singapore’s proposal return to the status quo before it extended the Johor Bahru port limits, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Monday (Dec 10) in response to its Malaysian's counterpart's statement earlier this evening.
"Maritime boundary claims can be made under international law, in accordance with established procedures, without needing to have ships facing off against one another ... Malaysia will be responsible for any untoward situations on the ground that arise from continued deployment of its vessels into this area," said MFA.
AdvertisementThe ministry's statement is reproduced in full:
On 25 October 2018, the Malaysian Government published a declaration on the alteration of Johor Bahru Port Limits. Malaysian Government vessels then entered into Singapore Territorial Waters (“STW”) off Tuas.
Singapore protested these actions. The Singapore Government made it clear that the Malaysian Government vessels should cease these intrusions and leave STW. Singapore also pointed out that the presence of Malaysian Government vessels in STW raised tensions on the ground, and risked causing an unintended and dangerous incident.
On 7 December 2018, the Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law Mr K Shanmugam and Attorney-General Mr Lucien Wong met with the Malaysian Attorney General Mr Tommy Thomas to discuss these and other issues. The Singapore officials proposed to Attorney General Thomas that Malaysia returns to the status quo ante prior to 25 October 2018, without prejudice to Malaysia’s and Singapore’s respective positions on the maritime boundary between the two countries in the area which Malaysia now claims. Maritime boundary claims can be made under international law, in accordance with established procedures, without needing to have ships facing off against one another.
The Singapore Government notes the statement issued by the Malaysian Government this evening. Malaysia has acknowledged that Singapore’s proposal would have been without prejudice to both sides’ respective positions on the maritime boundary. Singapore is hence disappointed that Malaysia is unable to accede to Singapore’s proposal to go back to the status quo ante prior to 25 October 2018.
Nevertheless, Singapore is encouraged that Malaysia has undertaken to take all effective measures to de-escalate the situation on the ground, and handle the situation in a calm and peaceful manner. Singapore also welcomes the Malaysian Government’s agreement that officials meet in the second week of January 2019, to exchange views on resolving the Johor Bahru Port Limits issue.
Meanwhile, Singapore reiterates its call to Malaysia to revert to the status quo ante prior to 25 October 2018. This will avoid misunderstandings and potential issues on the ground. Malaysia’s deployments in this area will not strengthen its legal claim and can only heighten tensions. Malaysia will be responsible for any untoward situations on the ground that arise from continued deployment of its vessels into this area.
The Singapore Government hopes to work with the Malaysian Government to find an amicable resolution of issues between the two countries in accordance with international law, and in the spirit of preserving our important bilateral relationship.
WILL DE-ESCALATE SITUATION ON GROUND: MALAYSIASingapore protested these actions. The Singapore Government made it clear that the Malaysian Government vessels should cease these intrusions and leave STW. Singapore also pointed out that the presence of Malaysian Government vessels in STW raised tensions on the ground, and risked causing an unintended and dangerous incident.
On 7 December 2018, the Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law Mr K Shanmugam and Attorney-General Mr Lucien Wong met with the Malaysian Attorney General Mr Tommy Thomas to discuss these and other issues. The Singapore officials proposed to Attorney General Thomas that Malaysia returns to the status quo ante prior to 25 October 2018, without prejudice to Malaysia’s and Singapore’s respective positions on the maritime boundary between the two countries in the area which Malaysia now claims. Maritime boundary claims can be made under international law, in accordance with established procedures, without needing to have ships facing off against one another.
The Singapore Government notes the statement issued by the Malaysian Government this evening. Malaysia has acknowledged that Singapore’s proposal would have been without prejudice to both sides’ respective positions on the maritime boundary. Singapore is hence disappointed that Malaysia is unable to accede to Singapore’s proposal to go back to the status quo ante prior to 25 October 2018.
Nevertheless, Singapore is encouraged that Malaysia has undertaken to take all effective measures to de-escalate the situation on the ground, and handle the situation in a calm and peaceful manner. Singapore also welcomes the Malaysian Government’s agreement that officials meet in the second week of January 2019, to exchange views on resolving the Johor Bahru Port Limits issue.
Meanwhile, Singapore reiterates its call to Malaysia to revert to the status quo ante prior to 25 October 2018. This will avoid misunderstandings and potential issues on the ground. Malaysia’s deployments in this area will not strengthen its legal claim and can only heighten tensions. Malaysia will be responsible for any untoward situations on the ground that arise from continued deployment of its vessels into this area.
The Singapore Government hopes to work with the Malaysian Government to find an amicable resolution of issues between the two countries in accordance with international law, and in the spirit of preserving our important bilateral relationship.
The Malaysian foreign affairs ministry had earlier issued a statement saying it would take "all effective measures to de-escalate the situation on the ground".
AdvertisementAdvertisementHowever, the Malaysian government "is unable to accede" to Singapore's "counter-proposal" of a return to the status quo prior to Oct 25, 2018, it said.
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad had also commented on the maritime issue saying that Malaysia will negotiate with Singapore regarding the ongoing dispute, but there was no decision on removing Malaysian government vessels from Singapore waters for now.
[h=3]READ: Singapore, Malaysia maritime dispute: A timeline[/h]There have been 14 intrusions by Malaysian government vessels in Singapore territorial waters in the last two weeks, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said at a media briefing last Thursday.
These intrusions came after Malaysia extended its Johor port limits on Oct 25, encroaching into Singapore waters off Tuas.
Malaysia has called for both countries to "cease and desist" from sending assets into a "disputed area" - a proposal Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday said it did not agree with, calling for a "return to the status quo ante before Oct 25, 2018".
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