SINGAPORE: A committee set up to discuss boundary delimitation in the waters between Singapore and Malaysia has held “constructive discussions” in its first meeting, said Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Wednesday (May 15).
The committee, which was established following a meeting between the foreign ministers of both countries in March, met in Singapore on Monday.
AdvertisementIt is chaired by Mr Chee Wee Kiong, Singapore’s Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mr Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob, Malaysia’s Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"The two delegations had constructive discussions on maritime boundary delimitation which provided a good basis for further negotiations," said an MFA spokesperson in response to CNA's queries.
"The next meeting will be held in Malaysia.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementEarlier, the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore noted in a Facebook post that the meeting was held “successfully”.
[h=3]READ: Singapore, Malaysia affirm commitment to cooperative and forward-looking bilateral relationship[/h]Malaysia had on Oct 25 gazetted an extension of its Johor Bahru port limits in a manner which Singapore said encroaches into its territorial waters off Tuas.
On Dec 6, Singapore extended its port limits off Tuas, and said it will not hesitate to take "firm actions" against the intrusion of Malaysian government vessels in its waters.
Singapore had also protested "provocative acts" by Malaysia, including a visit by former Johor Chief Minister Osman Sapian to a Malaysian vessel parked in Singapore waters.
On Mar 14, the foreign ministers of both sides agreed to mutually suspend the implementation of their overlapping port limits, as part of measures to dial down tensions.
Other measures announced include the suspension of commercial activities in the area, as well as an agreement not to anchor government vessels there.
Singapore and Malaysia also agreed to establish a committee for boundary delimitation, which will ensure the implementation of the measures within one month. After that, negotiations for maritime boundary delimitation in the area will begin.
The mutual suspension of overlapping port limits took effect on Apr 8.
Last week, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said in Parliament that the committee would meet "soon" to start negotiations on maritime boundary delimitation.
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