KL provides data on Johor Straits reclamation projects

SINGAPORE — Malaysia has provided Singapore with some preliminary general information on the two reclamation projects along the Strait of Johor, Senior Minister of State (Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs) Masagos Zulkifli said yesterday.

He told Parliament that Singapore was not given prior information on the projects and noted that under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and general international law, Malaysia’s obligations include not permitting “reclamation activities of this scale and nature ... so close to the international boundary with Singapore without first conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)”.

In their communications with Malaysia, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan had requested relevant information on all reclamation and construction work, including the EIA reports and projected timelines for their completion.

Singapore also raised concerns over the projects’ possible adverse environmental impacts, such as the increase in current velocity in the Strait of Johor, which could affect the safety of navigation in the area.

The projects could also result in changes in the morphology and water quality, affecting Singapore’s coastal and marine environment, as well as fish farms in the area.

Malaysia, which is committed to its obligations under international law, has promised to share all other information and suspended all reclamation work on the projects until Singapore has received and studied all the relevant information.

“In the meantime, we will study the information provided and conduct the necessary studies to ascertain how this project will impact Singapore,” Mr Masagos added.

Welcoming Malaysia’s cooperation on the matter, he said: “We have proposed to hold consultations with Malaysia so that both sides can further discuss and exchange information on these projects.”