M’sia, S’pore committed to fulfilling obligations on land reclamations works

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and Singapore are committed to continue fulfilling their obligations under the international law on land reclamation works in the Straits of Johor.

Malaysia's Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and Singapore Environment and Water Resources Ministry in a joint statement said it was important for both countries to fulfill their obligation in particular the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to avoid potential adverse transboundary impact.

The joint statement was issued yesterday in conjunction with the 29th Malaysia- Singapore Annual Exchange of Visit (AEV) here, in which Malaysia was represented by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar while Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli for Singapore.

The statement said Malaysia and Singapore reaffirmed their commitmentundertheSettlement Agreement of exchange information and discuss matters affecting their respective environments in the Straits of Johor, including reclamation works that might have potential adverse transboundary impact.

“In this regard, the minister welcomed the establishment of a joint task force to discuss issues pertaining to the findings of the bathymetry survey at Danga Bay,” it said.

On collaboration in the area of oil spill prevention and control in the Straits of Johor, the joint statement, said Malaysia and Singapore agreed to continue working together on information and experience sharing.

“Malaysia and Singapore will collaborate in capacity building on the prevention and control of oil pollution due to incidents resulting from ship-to- ship transfer activities as well as measures against accidental or illegal disposal of oil and oily sludge into the Straits of Johor,” it said. — Bernama