Malaysian MP defends Johor Chief Minister’s visit to the Malaysian-Singapore maritime border

JOHOR BARU — Johor parliamentary lawmaker Hassan Abdul Karim on Tuesday (Jan 15) came out in support of the state’s Chief Minister Osman Sapian’s visit to the Malaysian vessel, MV Pedoman, on Jan 9, which led to the postponement of the Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia meeting, originally scheduled for Monday (Jan 14).

Mr Hassan, who is the Pasir Gudang MP, also criticised Malaysia's ruling Pakatan Harapan (PH) leadership for staying silent after Singapore described Mr Osman’s visit as trespassing, adding that it was unfair to see Mr Osman being “bullied” over the allegations.

In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Hassan said Malaysia’s leaders have left Mr Osman to “defend himself in the face of wild allegations from Singapore while it was (Mr Osman) that undertook his duty to defend the sovereignty of the region for state and nation.”

Mr Hassan is the first PH leader who has openly backed Mr Osman after his controversial visit, adding he felt sorry that the Malaysian government has allowed Singapore to “bash” Mr Osman.

“As a Malaysian MP… I have the right to raise this matter and demand the government’s answer,” said the 68-year-old former social activist, adding that he will officially raise the issue at Malaysia’s next parliament sitting in March.

On Monday (Jan 14), Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said in Parliament that Mr Osman’s publicised visit to the vessel, which was illegally anchored in Singapore’s waters, was an intrusion that “undermined the goodwill and trust necessary for further co-operation between the two countries”, especially in terms of working with Johor.

Dr Balakrishnan added that the Mr Osman’s actions “went against the spirit of the agreement” between him and his Malaysian counterpart Saifuddin Abdullah the day before (Jan 8), when both leaders said they would resolve bilateral issues in a calm and constructive manner.

Echoing Dr Balakrishnan’s comments in Parliament, Singapore’s Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said on Tuesday that Mr Osman’s visit was “provocative and escalatory”, and raised tensions and real risks on the ground.

Dr Ng said that Singapore’s security agencies had detected early the movement of the chief minister’s entourage and had to respond promptly, but added that security personnel have been ordered to use restraint so far, so as not to escalate tensions and jeopardise the peaceful resolution of the dispute

Mr Osman has reportedly denied trespassing in an act of provocation and defended his visit, saying he was watching Malaysia’s security teams doing their job. AGENCIES