Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

S’pore will deal with new bilateral disputes 'calmly and constructively': PM Lee

SINGAPORE — Weighing in for the first time on the ongoing airspace and maritime disputes between Singapore and Malaysia, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that the Republic will deal with these matters “calmly and constructively”.

A Malaysian government vessel was spotted in the waters off Tuas View Extension on Thursday, December 6, 2018.

A Malaysian government vessel was spotted in the waters off Tuas View Extension on Thursday, December 6, 2018.

Follow TODAY on WhatsApp

SINGAPORE — Weighing in for the first time on the ongoing airspace and maritime disputes between Singapore and Malaysia, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that the Republic will deal with these matters “calmly and constructively”.

“Singapore and Malaysia must manage specific problems, however difficult, while preserving the overall relationship,” he said in his New Year message to Singaporeans on Monday (Dec 31).

“The way to do so is through equality and mutual respect, upholding international commitments and the rule of law.”

Mr Lee said that Singapore hopes to maintain a constructive partnership with Malaysia, and looks forward to the new leaders on both sides developing good working relations with one another.

Malaysia formed a new government following elections in May, while in Singapore the fourth generation of political leaders have gradually been taking on more responsibilities as part of the government’s succession planning strategy.

Mr Lee noted, however, that “several issues have recently arisen” between the two countries, “as they will from time to time between two close neighbours tightly bound by history, economics, culture and kinship”.

He listed, for example, Malaysia’s request to defer the High Speed Rail project, and noted that Singapore worked with them to accommodate their needs.

In September, both countries agreed to defer the project to May 31, 2020, with Malaysia having to pay S$15 million to Singapore by end-January to compensate for the abortive costs incurred by the deferment.

“The new disputes on maritime boundaries, following provocative intrusions into our territorial waters, and on airspace, particularly the Instrument Landing System (ILS) rules for Seletar Airport, are more difficult to resolve,” Mr Lee added.

Earlier this month, the Singapore government came out to strongly protest against Malaysia’s move to expand its Johor Bahru port limits into the Republic’s territorial waters, saying the action violates sovereignty and international laws. Malaysia’s government vessels have also been repeatedly intruding Singapore’s waters.

Officials from both sides will meet in the second week of January to discuss the maritime dispute.

Meanwhile, Malaysia has protested that Singapore’s plan to implement the ILS procedures at Seletar Airport from next year will encroach into its Southern Johor Baru airspace and hamper development in the Johor town of Pasir Gudang.

Singapore argues that the ILS procedures are aligned with international standards and existing flight paths into Seletar Airport that have been used for decades, and will not affect infrastructure development or shipping activities at the Pasir Gudang Port.

Mr Lee noted, too, that Malaysia wants to revise the price of Johor water, “an old issue recently revived, on which Singapore’s stand is quite clear”.

He has previously said that both nations have to strictly abide by the terms of the 1962 Water Agreement, which is guaranteed by the 1965 Separation Agreement.

In Monday’s message, Mr Lee said: “We will deal with all these matters calmly and constructively.”

Older Singaporeans will remember that this is how Singapore dealt with previous rough patches in bilateral relations, he added.

“Each time we would unite as one people, and stand our ground calmly but firmly,” he said.

“I am confident that this time too Singaporeans will work closely together to keep relations with Malaysia stable, and a new generation will learn how to collectively protect our vital interests while living in peace and friendship with our neighbours.”

Meanwhile, relations with Indonesia have been positive, with significant cooperation and investments flowing in both directions, Mr Lee said.

But tense relations between the United States and China, which are currently engaged in a trade war, continue to cause concern. “These tensions will cause problems for the world, and make it harder for countries to be friends with both,” he said.

“If countries are forced to choose sides, the open and connected global order will be further divided, hurting one and all.”

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.