Singapore: No to Malaysia’s ‘cease-and-desist’ proposal
SINGAPORE: Singapore does not agree with Malaysia’s proposal for both countries to cease and desist from sending assets into the disputed area, according to the republic’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
However, the ministry said Singapore “remains ready to discuss this issue with Malaysia in a constructive manner in the spirit of preserving our important bilateral relationship.”
The ministry’s spokesperson said that as its Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan told his Malaysian counterpart Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah on Dec 5, 2018, Malaysian government vessels had repeatedly intruded into Singapore territorial waters following the purported extension of the port limits of Johor Bahru Port on Oct 25, 2018.
“Malaysian government vessels should forthwith cease these provocative violations of Singapore sovereignty and return to the status quo ante before 25 October 2018, without prejudice to our respective positions on maritime boundary claims in the area,” the spokesperson said in a statement yesterday.
The spokesperson noted that “attempts to create facts on the ground add nothing to Malaysia’s legal case and are unhelpful for an amicable resolution of our maritime boundary issues.”
The ministry also said the republic had received Malaysia’s diplomatic note on Dec 7, 2018 and would respond in due course.
Malaysia yesterday proposed for both countries to cease and desist from sending assets into the disputed area effective 0000 hours on Dec 8, 2018, pending discussions on outstanding maritime boundary issues. — Bernama