MALAYSIA, SINGAPORE IN TALKS NEXT MONTH TO FIND SOLUTIONS
Both countries have agreed to reduce presence in disputed area, says minister
MALAYSIA will hold talks with Singapore early next year to resolve the maritime dispute.
Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said his ministry and the Singapore Foreign Ministry would discuss the countries’ territorial waters, which is now under dispute.
“What is most important is that both countries have agreed to hold talks in early next month. Actually, negotiations have taken place over the past week, but they are only at the officers’ level.
“That is why both countries agreed to reduce presence in the disputed area, so Malaysia and Singapore have only one or two boats there. What is important is our presence is minimal and not aggressive,” he said at the Dewan Negara here yesterday.
Saifuddin was replying to a question by Senator Datuk Razali Idris, who asked on the status of the relationship between Malaysia and Singapore following the issue.
The maritime dispute arose after the island republic claimed that Malaysia had invaded its territorial waters around Tuas in a move to expand Johor Baru’s port limits.
Saifuddin said Malaysia would be cautious in taking action to safeguard relations between the two countries, while at the same time safeguarding Malaysia’s sovereignty and national interest.
He said Malaysia would also negotiate with Singapore to resolve aerial issues, especially involving the Instrument Landing System (ILS) at Seletar Airport.
“The system will have a big impact on the development in Pasir Gudang, following the height restriction of the structures in the area. We will negotiate again with Singapore to safeguard the sovereignty of the nation and the people.”
In Sepang, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said both nations should be given space to sit down and discuss pending disputes next month.
He said all quarters should cease commenting and prolonging the issues at hand until leaders of the two countries had met.
“I think it is enough (of comments) regarding the issue. Let the two parties sit down and discuss. Both sides have agreed to meet in mid-January. I don’t want to comment further on it,” he said after the launch of the Happy Guests, Caring Hosts Service Culture Transformation programme, and senior citizen- and family-friendly facilities at klia2 yesterday.
It was reported that Malaysia had issued a protest note to Singapore on the publication of the ILS procedure for Seletar Airport.
Loke said Malaysia had clearly made its stand on the ILS issue and even produced a video on it, which was posted on the minister’s Facebook account.
“I think it is very clear. Any technical consideration, let the experts resolve it,” he added.