Malaysia claims US warship-tanker accident happened in its waters

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia has disputed Singapore’s account that a maritime accident between an American destroyer and a merchant vessel took place in the Republic’s territorial waters. 

Malaysia’s Maritime Enforcement Agency director-general Zulkifili Abu Bakar insisted that the collision between USS John S McCain and Alnic MC occurred 4.5 nautical miles from Malaysia’s coast off Johor.

“It happened in Malaysian territorial waters, specifically in Teluk Ramunia waters,’’ Mr Zulkifili said.

He added that the Malaysian search and rescue operation was independent of Singapore’s, and Malaysia had not communicated with the Republic about the incident.

“What is important is, we do not want to have another collision between assets on the ground. For the time being, we shouldn’t be arguing about whose waters it is. The most important thing is to focus on search and rescue,” he said, referring to the territorial dispute over Pedra Branca that has simmered between Singapore and Malaysia for decades.

Malaysia’s navy chief, Admiral Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin, also claimed that the country’s KD Handalan warship was the first to respond to the distress call from the American destroyer. 

“KD Handalan was just three miles from the USS McCain when it first received the distress call,” he said.

But a statement by the United States Seventh Fleet on Monday (Aug 21) evening contradicted his claim. 

“Royal Malaysian Navy ships joined the search this afternoon, providing KD Handalan, KD Gempita, and KM Marudu and a Super Lynx helicopter. 

“Earlier in the day, Republic of Singapore Navy Fearless-class patrol ships RSS Gallant (97), RSS Resilience (82), and a Singaporean Police Coast Guard vessel Basking Shark (PH 55) rendered assistance,” the US Navy said. 

“Gallant, along with an Singapore Armed Forces Super Puma helicopter and Police Coast Guard vessels Tiger Shark (PH 54) and Sandbar Shark (PH 56) continue to provide assistance.”

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said it was notified just before dawn on Monday of the collision in “Singapore territorial waters” in the Singapore Strait, and the Republic was leading the search and rescue operations. 

“The Malaysian agencies are not involved in the search and rescue operations that is led by Singapore,” the MPA said. The row over the ownership of Pedra Branca dates back to the late 1970s, and it took more than 20 years for the dispute to be brought before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in July 2003. 

In May 2008, after several rounds of written pleadings and public hearings, the court ruled Pedra Branca to be Singapore territory.

It also ruled that sovereignty over the Middle Rocks belongs to Malaysia. But in February, Malaysia filed a challenge to the ruling, following what it claimed was the discovery of new facts from three documents recently discovered in the United Kingdom’s national archive. 

In June, Putrajaya filed another application asking ICJ to interpret its ruling on Pedra Branca.

Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the application by saying that the ICJ judgment was “clear and unambiguous” and that Malaysia’s case was puzzling and groundless. AGENCIES