S'pore-M'sia maritime dispute: Working group meets in Putrajaya, has 'constructive discussion'

SINGAPORE — The working group tasked to look into the maritime dispute between Singapore and Malaysia met in Putrajaya on Monday (Jan 28) and had “constructive discussions on a set of positive recommendations”, the foreign affairs ministries of both countries said in a joint statement.

These recommendations will be submitted to the foreign ministers of Malaysia and Singapore for their consideration when finalised, the statement added.

The maritime dispute began when Malaysia unilaterally extended its Johor Baru port limits into Singapore’s territorial waters off Tuas on Oct 25 last year.

The extension went beyond Malaysia’s own territorial sea claims according to its 1979 map, which Singapore has rejected.

Malaysian government vessels have since intruded into Singapore’s maritime waters.

In response, Singapore extended on Dec 6 its own port limits off Tuas. Singapore argues that this was done in accordance with international law, and that the new port limits remain well within Singapore’s waters.

On Jan 8, the two countries agreed to set up a working group headed by Singapore’s Permanent Secretary (Foreign Affairs) Chee Wee Kiong and Malaysia’s foreign ministry secretary-general Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob to de-escalate tensions surrounding the maritime borders.

It will report to Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and his Malaysian counterpart, Mr Saifuddin Abdullah, within two months.