Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad says Johor govt, people must speak up on the Singapore water agreement
He calls pact 'morally wrong', and says state and people should not wait for federal govt to renegotiate water price
The Straits Times, 1 Mar 2019
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PUTRAJAYA • Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad yesterday urged the government and people of Johor to speak up against what he felt was a "morally wrong" water agreement with Singapore.
The "rich" country of Singapore has been benefiting from "poor" Malaysia on the water issue, he told the Johor government's retreat with the federal Cabinet in Putrajaya.
"Singapore rapidly developed because we have been supplying them with water, but I find the Johoreans rarely talk about it," Tun Dr Mahathir was quoted as saying by the Bernama news agency.
"They just wait for negotiations to be undertaken by the federal government as if the state government is unaffected... The state government must make their voices heard. The rich are depending on the poor? This is not only illogical but also morally wrong. We must put stress on this issue," he added.
He was quoted by the Malay Mail online news as saying: "Not just the federal government, not just our negotiators, but the people of Johor must also pressure, saying that Singapore is exploiting Johor's water."
He added, as quoted by the news site: "Singapore depends on Johor for electricity, water and all that. If we manage these well, we will get enough profit.
"However, now, since 1926, we sell water to Singapore at the price of three sen for 1,000 gallons - not litres, but gallons.
"This is the price of 1926, but even now, Singapore is still paying three sen for 1,000 gallons of raw water from Johor. We have to fight this, but it seems we are not that smart in defending or highlighting the mistreatment that is happening to us."
The water issue with Malaysia resurfaced in June last year, a month after the Pakatan Harapan government took office, when Dr Mahathir said the price of raw water sold to Singapore was "ridiculous" and that Malaysia would approach Singapore to renegotiate the terms of the agreement.
Under the 1962 Water Agreement between the two countries which expires in 2061, Singapore is entitled to draw up to 250 million gallons a day (mgd) of raw water from the Johor River at three sen per 1,000 gallons.
Johor is entitled to buy five mgd of treated water from Singapore at 50 sen per 1,000 gallons. Singapore has said this price is heavily subsidised and below the cost of treating the water.
Singapore's stance is that in 1987, Malaysia lost its right to review the price under the 1962 Water Agreement when it chose not to do so.
Speaking about the water issue and referring to Singapore, Dr Mahathir was quoted by the New Straits Times newspaper as saying: "How can such a rich nation with higher per capita income of US$18,000 (S$24,300), compared with us, with per capita income of US$10,000, pay such an unreasonable rate?"
Dr Mahathir claimed that Singapore is also making profits with the high pricing of its desalinated water, yet still pays Malaysia only three sen for the raw water, Malay Mail quoted him as saying.
The Prime Minister said Johor should play up its strategically located ports and lower costs to entice Singaporeans to invest and shop there.
He calls pact 'morally wrong', and says state and people should not wait for federal govt to renegotiate water price
The Straits Times, 1 Mar 2019
The "rich" country of Singapore has been benefiting from "poor" Malaysia on the water issue, he told the Johor government's retreat with the federal Cabinet in Putrajaya.
"Singapore rapidly developed because we have been supplying them with water, but I find the Johoreans rarely talk about it," Tun Dr Mahathir was quoted as saying by the Bernama news agency.
"They just wait for negotiations to be undertaken by the federal government as if the state government is unaffected... The state government must make their voices heard. The rich are depending on the poor? This is not only illogical but also morally wrong. We must put stress on this issue," he added.
He was quoted by the Malay Mail online news as saying: "Not just the federal government, not just our negotiators, but the people of Johor must also pressure, saying that Singapore is exploiting Johor's water."
He added, as quoted by the news site: "Singapore depends on Johor for electricity, water and all that. If we manage these well, we will get enough profit.
"However, now, since 1926, we sell water to Singapore at the price of three sen for 1,000 gallons - not litres, but gallons.
"This is the price of 1926, but even now, Singapore is still paying three sen for 1,000 gallons of raw water from Johor. We have to fight this, but it seems we are not that smart in defending or highlighting the mistreatment that is happening to us."
The water issue with Malaysia resurfaced in June last year, a month after the Pakatan Harapan government took office, when Dr Mahathir said the price of raw water sold to Singapore was "ridiculous" and that Malaysia would approach Singapore to renegotiate the terms of the agreement.
Under the 1962 Water Agreement between the two countries which expires in 2061, Singapore is entitled to draw up to 250 million gallons a day (mgd) of raw water from the Johor River at three sen per 1,000 gallons.
Johor is entitled to buy five mgd of treated water from Singapore at 50 sen per 1,000 gallons. Singapore has said this price is heavily subsidised and below the cost of treating the water.
Singapore's stance is that in 1987, Malaysia lost its right to review the price under the 1962 Water Agreement when it chose not to do so.
Speaking about the water issue and referring to Singapore, Dr Mahathir was quoted by the New Straits Times newspaper as saying: "How can such a rich nation with higher per capita income of US$18,000 (S$24,300), compared with us, with per capita income of US$10,000, pay such an unreasonable rate?"
Dr Mahathir claimed that Singapore is also making profits with the high pricing of its desalinated water, yet still pays Malaysia only three sen for the raw water, Malay Mail quoted him as saying.
The Prime Minister said Johor should play up its strategically located ports and lower costs to entice Singaporeans to invest and shop there.
Parliament: Mahathir's comments on water agreement a 'red herring', says Vivian Balakrishnan
By Adrian Lim, Political Correspondent, The Straits Times, 2 Mar 2019
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Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan has called Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's pointed comments over the 1962 Water Agreement a "red herring".
Referring to Tun Dr Mahathir's remarks on Thursday urging Johor's government and people to protest against what he called a "morally wrong" pact, Dr Balakrishnan said the words used were "strong, emotive" and intended to rouse public opinion.
Dr Mahathir, in urging Johor to protest the agreement, had questioned how "a rich nation" could pay "such an unreasonable rate" for raw water sold by Malaysia.
Dr Balakrishnan told Parliament that Singapore's position on the water pact has been "clear and consistent". Neither Malaysia nor Singapore can unilaterally change the terms of the agreement between their countries.
He said Dr Mahathir himself had explained in 2002 that Malaysia chose not to review the price in 1987, when he was PM, because it benefited from the deal - under which Johor paid for treated water at a fraction of the treatment cost.
Dr Balakrishnan added: "I am supposed to be diplomatic. But I think members of this House also know that I call a spade a spade."
Johor plans to stop relying on Singapore for treated water: Menteri Besar Osman Sapian
Menteri Besar says state's plans to be self-sufficient cannot be divulged for now
The Straits Times, 2 Mar 2019
JOHOR BARU • The Johor state government plans to be self-sufficient in treated water instead of relying on Singapore, Johor Menteri Besar Osman Sapian said yesterday, according to Malaysian media.
"We have a plan to be self-sufficient but that is still in the planning stage and cannot be divulged at the moment," Datuk Osman said after attending a meeting with Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and Cabinet ministers in Putrajaya.
Mr Osman's comments came a day after Tun Dr Mahathir urged Johoreans to speak up on the "morally wrong" water deal between Malaysia and Singapore.
Under the 1962 Water Agreement, which expires in 2061, Singapore is entitled to draw up to 250 million gallons a day (mgd) of raw water from the Johor River at three sen per 1,000 gallons.
Johor is entitled to buy five mgd of treated water from Singapore at 50 sen per 1,000 gallons. Singapore has said this price is heavily subsidised and below the cost of treating the water. Singapore has, in practice, been supplying 16mgd of treated water at Johor's request.
But Dr Mahathir said during the two-day meeting with Johor officials that "rich" Singapore had been benefiting from "poor" Malaysia on the water issue.
"I don't hear Johoreans talking about this," Dr Mahathir said. "They don't feel pressured and they are waiting for the federal government's negotiations on the matter."
Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said yesterday the bilateral water agreement is not about who is richer or poorer, but about the fundamental principle of respecting the sanctity of agreements.
The words Dr Mahathir used were "strong, emotive words, no doubt, intended to rouse public opinion", said Dr Balakrishnan in Parliament.
Meanwhile, Mr Osman also said yesterday that the meeting had achieved its objective of increasing cooperation between the state and federal governments.
"Many ideas and views were presented during the sessions," he was quoted by The Star as saying.
By Adrian Lim, Political Correspondent, The Straits Times, 2 Mar 2019
Referring to Tun Dr Mahathir's remarks on Thursday urging Johor's government and people to protest against what he called a "morally wrong" pact, Dr Balakrishnan said the words used were "strong, emotive" and intended to rouse public opinion.
Dr Mahathir, in urging Johor to protest the agreement, had questioned how "a rich nation" could pay "such an unreasonable rate" for raw water sold by Malaysia.
Dr Balakrishnan told Parliament that Singapore's position on the water pact has been "clear and consistent". Neither Malaysia nor Singapore can unilaterally change the terms of the agreement between their countries.
He said Dr Mahathir himself had explained in 2002 that Malaysia chose not to review the price in 1987, when he was PM, because it benefited from the deal - under which Johor paid for treated water at a fraction of the treatment cost.
Dr Balakrishnan added: "I am supposed to be diplomatic. But I think members of this House also know that I call a spade a spade."
Johor plans to stop relying on Singapore for treated water: Menteri Besar Osman Sapian
Menteri Besar says state's plans to be self-sufficient cannot be divulged for now
The Straits Times, 2 Mar 2019
JOHOR BARU • The Johor state government plans to be self-sufficient in treated water instead of relying on Singapore, Johor Menteri Besar Osman Sapian said yesterday, according to Malaysian media.
"We have a plan to be self-sufficient but that is still in the planning stage and cannot be divulged at the moment," Datuk Osman said after attending a meeting with Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and Cabinet ministers in Putrajaya.
Mr Osman's comments came a day after Tun Dr Mahathir urged Johoreans to speak up on the "morally wrong" water deal between Malaysia and Singapore.
Under the 1962 Water Agreement, which expires in 2061, Singapore is entitled to draw up to 250 million gallons a day (mgd) of raw water from the Johor River at three sen per 1,000 gallons.
Johor is entitled to buy five mgd of treated water from Singapore at 50 sen per 1,000 gallons. Singapore has said this price is heavily subsidised and below the cost of treating the water. Singapore has, in practice, been supplying 16mgd of treated water at Johor's request.
But Dr Mahathir said during the two-day meeting with Johor officials that "rich" Singapore had been benefiting from "poor" Malaysia on the water issue.
"I don't hear Johoreans talking about this," Dr Mahathir said. "They don't feel pressured and they are waiting for the federal government's negotiations on the matter."
Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said yesterday the bilateral water agreement is not about who is richer or poorer, but about the fundamental principle of respecting the sanctity of agreements.
The words Dr Mahathir used were "strong, emotive words, no doubt, intended to rouse public opinion", said Dr Balakrishnan in Parliament.
Meanwhile, Mr Osman also said yesterday that the meeting had achieved its objective of increasing cooperation between the state and federal governments.
"Many ideas and views were presented during the sessions," he was quoted by The Star as saying.
Parliament: Malaysia-Singapore water pact is about respecting sanctity of agreements, says Vivian Balakrishnan
Singapore has so far spent more than $1 billion on water projects in Johor, says minister
By Adrian Lim, Political Correspondent, The Straits Times, 2 Mar 2019
Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan yesterday described the latest comments by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on the water issue as a "red herring".
"The 1962 Water Agreement is not about who is richer or poorer. It is about the fundamental principle of respecting the sanctity of agreements," he told the House.
In calling for Johor to speak up against the 1962 Water Agreement, Tun Dr Mahathir had asked how Singapore, as "a rich nation", could pay "such an unreasonable rate" for raw water sold by Malaysia under the water pact, when Malaysia was a poorer country by gross domestic product per capita.
This was "morally wrong", Dr Mahathir had said at the Johor government's retreat with the federal Cabinet in Putrajaya two days ago.
The remarks prompted Mr Vikram Nair (Sembawang GRC) to raise the issue at the debate on the Foreign Affairs Ministry's budget.
Responding, Dr Balakrishnan said Dr Mahathir had used "strong, emotive words, no doubt intended to rouse public opinion".
In his rebuttal, he reiterated that the water pact was guaranteed by Singapore and Malaysia in the 1965 Separation Agreement.
Any breach of it would call into question the Separation Agreement, which is the basis for Singapore's existence as an independent sovereign state, he said.
"Therefore, Malaysia and Singapore must fully honour the terms of the 1962 Water Agreement, including the price of water that is stipulated in it. And our longstanding position has been that neither Malaysia nor Singapore can unilaterally change the terms of this agreement between our two countries," he added.
He stated again that Malaysia had lost its right to review the price of water. In fact, Malaysia has previously acknowledged that it chose not to seek a review in 1987 because it benefited from the pricing arrangement under it.
Dr Mahathir, who was Malaysia's prime minister from 1981 to 2003, explained in 2002 that his country did not ask for a review in 1987 as it knew that any revision would also affect the price of treated water sold by Singapore to Malaysia.
Today, Singapore continues to sell treated water to Malaysia in excess of its obligation of five million gallons a day (mgd) under the water agreement, at Malaysia's request.
Singapore has been selling 16mgd of treated water to Johor, Dr Balakrishnan added. It does so at a fraction of the cost of treating that water, he said. "In other words, for every gallon, we are subsidising.''
On top of this, PUB also receives additional requests to supply additional treated water to Johor from time to time. For example, between Jan 2 and 4 this year, Singapore supplied a further 6 mgd of treated water over and above the 16 mgd, when Johor needed more water because its water plants experienced disruption owing to pollution.
Dr Balakrishnan also highlighted how PUB and Johor signed an agreement in 1990 to build the Linggiu Dam, to increase the yield of the Johor River.
Johor owns the dam, but Singapore paid more than $300 million for its construction and operational costs, as well as compensation for the land used for the Linggiu Reservoir, among other things.
"If Malaysia had exercised the right to review the price of water in 1987, Singapore might well have made different investment decisions on developing the Johor River," he said.
He added that Singapore has so far spent more than $1 billion on water projects in Johor to help ensure not only PUB's waterworks but also that Johor's own waterworks can reliably draw water from the Johor River.
Dr Balakrishnan said that in periods of dry weather - which Johor is coincidentally experiencing now - Singapore continues to provide Johor with treated water at its request.
"We do so out of goodwill, without prejudice to our legal rights under the water agreement.''
He added: "We are permanent neighbours and we want to be good neighbours and we have never shied away from dealing with difficult bilateral issues."
This is why, he said, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong proposed to Dr Mahathir last November that their attorneys-general meet to better understand each other's positions on whether Malaysia still had the right to review the price of water under the current pact.
The attorneys-general met last December, he added. "Unfortunately, their discussions were overshadowed by the Johor Baru Port Limits and the Seletar Instrument Landing System procedures issues that we are now trying to resolve."
Still, they will continue their discussions in due time, he said.
Summing up, he said that after Separation in 1965, Singapore chose a "different and unique fundamental philosophy of governance" and had taken a different development path. "Singapore has no natural resources, we are even short of water, but Singaporeans have long internalised that no one owes us a living. We have provided a framework where all our citizens strive to do their best, and achieve our potential by dint of our efforts."
He said Singapore takes a zero tolerance policy towards corruption, and the Government plans and invests for the long term, as exemplified by the 2019 Budget.
"We honour and fulfil our international agreements and commitments. As a result of that, businesses have the confidence to invest and grow in Singapore and... we invest in infrastructure ahead of time."
Dr Balakrishnan said: "I will let members of the House and fellow Singaporeans decide for yourselves whether we have been 'fair' or, to quote Dr Mahathir, whether we have been 'morally wrong'.
"I think the answer is obvious."
Singapore has so far spent more than $1 billion on water projects in Johor, says minister
By Adrian Lim, Political Correspondent, The Straits Times, 2 Mar 2019
Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan yesterday described the latest comments by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on the water issue as a "red herring".
"The 1962 Water Agreement is not about who is richer or poorer. It is about the fundamental principle of respecting the sanctity of agreements," he told the House.
In calling for Johor to speak up against the 1962 Water Agreement, Tun Dr Mahathir had asked how Singapore, as "a rich nation", could pay "such an unreasonable rate" for raw water sold by Malaysia under the water pact, when Malaysia was a poorer country by gross domestic product per capita.
This was "morally wrong", Dr Mahathir had said at the Johor government's retreat with the federal Cabinet in Putrajaya two days ago.
The remarks prompted Mr Vikram Nair (Sembawang GRC) to raise the issue at the debate on the Foreign Affairs Ministry's budget.
Responding, Dr Balakrishnan said Dr Mahathir had used "strong, emotive words, no doubt intended to rouse public opinion".
In his rebuttal, he reiterated that the water pact was guaranteed by Singapore and Malaysia in the 1965 Separation Agreement.
Any breach of it would call into question the Separation Agreement, which is the basis for Singapore's existence as an independent sovereign state, he said.
"Therefore, Malaysia and Singapore must fully honour the terms of the 1962 Water Agreement, including the price of water that is stipulated in it. And our longstanding position has been that neither Malaysia nor Singapore can unilaterally change the terms of this agreement between our two countries," he added.
He stated again that Malaysia had lost its right to review the price of water. In fact, Malaysia has previously acknowledged that it chose not to seek a review in 1987 because it benefited from the pricing arrangement under it.
Dr Mahathir, who was Malaysia's prime minister from 1981 to 2003, explained in 2002 that his country did not ask for a review in 1987 as it knew that any revision would also affect the price of treated water sold by Singapore to Malaysia.
Today, Singapore continues to sell treated water to Malaysia in excess of its obligation of five million gallons a day (mgd) under the water agreement, at Malaysia's request.
Singapore has been selling 16mgd of treated water to Johor, Dr Balakrishnan added. It does so at a fraction of the cost of treating that water, he said. "In other words, for every gallon, we are subsidising.''
On top of this, PUB also receives additional requests to supply additional treated water to Johor from time to time. For example, between Jan 2 and 4 this year, Singapore supplied a further 6 mgd of treated water over and above the 16 mgd, when Johor needed more water because its water plants experienced disruption owing to pollution.
Dr Balakrishnan also highlighted how PUB and Johor signed an agreement in 1990 to build the Linggiu Dam, to increase the yield of the Johor River.
Johor owns the dam, but Singapore paid more than $300 million for its construction and operational costs, as well as compensation for the land used for the Linggiu Reservoir, among other things.
"If Malaysia had exercised the right to review the price of water in 1987, Singapore might well have made different investment decisions on developing the Johor River," he said.
He added that Singapore has so far spent more than $1 billion on water projects in Johor to help ensure not only PUB's waterworks but also that Johor's own waterworks can reliably draw water from the Johor River.
Dr Balakrishnan said that in periods of dry weather - which Johor is coincidentally experiencing now - Singapore continues to provide Johor with treated water at its request.
"We do so out of goodwill, without prejudice to our legal rights under the water agreement.''
He added: "We are permanent neighbours and we want to be good neighbours and we have never shied away from dealing with difficult bilateral issues."
This is why, he said, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong proposed to Dr Mahathir last November that their attorneys-general meet to better understand each other's positions on whether Malaysia still had the right to review the price of water under the current pact.
The attorneys-general met last December, he added. "Unfortunately, their discussions were overshadowed by the Johor Baru Port Limits and the Seletar Instrument Landing System procedures issues that we are now trying to resolve."
Still, they will continue their discussions in due time, he said.
Summing up, he said that after Separation in 1965, Singapore chose a "different and unique fundamental philosophy of governance" and had taken a different development path. "Singapore has no natural resources, we are even short of water, but Singaporeans have long internalised that no one owes us a living. We have provided a framework where all our citizens strive to do their best, and achieve our potential by dint of our efforts."
He said Singapore takes a zero tolerance policy towards corruption, and the Government plans and invests for the long term, as exemplified by the 2019 Budget.
"We honour and fulfil our international agreements and commitments. As a result of that, businesses have the confidence to invest and grow in Singapore and... we invest in infrastructure ahead of time."
Dr Balakrishnan said: "I will let members of the House and fellow Singaporeans decide for yourselves whether we have been 'fair' or, to quote Dr Mahathir, whether we have been 'morally wrong'.
"I think the answer is obvious."
Longstanding water agreement
The Straits Times, 2 Mar 2019
• Under the 1962 Water Agreement, Singapore can draw up to 250 million gallons a day (mgd) of raw water from Johor at three sen per 1,000 gallons.
• Singapore sells treated water to Johor at 50 sen per 1,000 gallons, a price that is a fraction of the true cost of treating the water.
• Johor is entitled to buy up to 5 mgd of treated water under the 1962 Water Agreement. Singapore has, in practice, been supplying 16mgd of treated water at Johor's request.
• The agreement provides for a price review after 25 years. Malaysia, however, did not exercise the right in 1987.
• Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, during his earlier premiership from 1981 to 2003, explained in 2002 that Malaysia did not ask for the review as it knew that any revision would also affect the price of treated water sold by Singapore to Malaysia.
• In 1990, PUB and Johor signed an agreement to construct the Linggiu Dam to increase the yield of the Johor River.
• Johor owns the Linggiu Dam, but Singapore paid more than $300 million for construction, land and operational costs, among others.
• The terms of the 1962 Water Agreement were reaffirmed between the two countries in January last year, at the 8th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders' Retreat.
The Straits Times, 2 Mar 2019
• Under the 1962 Water Agreement, Singapore can draw up to 250 million gallons a day (mgd) of raw water from Johor at three sen per 1,000 gallons.
• Singapore sells treated water to Johor at 50 sen per 1,000 gallons, a price that is a fraction of the true cost of treating the water.
• Johor is entitled to buy up to 5 mgd of treated water under the 1962 Water Agreement. Singapore has, in practice, been supplying 16mgd of treated water at Johor's request.
• The agreement provides for a price review after 25 years. Malaysia, however, did not exercise the right in 1987.
• Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, during his earlier premiership from 1981 to 2003, explained in 2002 that Malaysia did not ask for the review as it knew that any revision would also affect the price of treated water sold by Singapore to Malaysia.
• In 1990, PUB and Johor signed an agreement to construct the Linggiu Dam to increase the yield of the Johor River.
• Johor owns the Linggiu Dam, but Singapore paid more than $300 million for construction, land and operational costs, among others.
• The terms of the 1962 Water Agreement were reaffirmed between the two countries in January last year, at the 8th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders' Retreat.
Parliament: Joint working group to submit proposals on maritime border dispute, says Vivian Balakrishnan
By Adrian Lim, Political Correspondent, The Straits Times, 2 Mar 2019
A joint working group looking into the maritime border dispute between Singapore and Malaysia will submit its recommendations to the foreign ministers of the two countries early this month.
In an update yesterday, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said that officials have been meeting to discuss measures to de-escalate the situation on the ground, and are aware of the urgent need to prevent accidents and untoward incidents.
Last month, the Greek-registered bulk carrier Pireas collided with Malaysian government vessel Polaris, which was anchored illegally in Singapore's territorial waters.
Dr Balakrishnan told Parliament that while several issues with Malaysia have emerged in recent months, the Government is committed to resolving them in an "amicable and constructive manner, and in strict accordance with bilateral agreements and international law".
Besides the maritime dispute, the two countries are in disagreement over Singapore's introduction of new landing procedures for Seletar Airport and Malaysia's subsequent decision to declare a restricted zone over Pasir Gudang for the purpose of military activities.
Both countries have agreed to mutually suspend the measures until the end of this month.
Yesterday, Mr Vikram Nair (Sembawang GRC) and Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim (Nee Soon GRC) asked for updates on the disputes, during the debate on the budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On the landing procedures and airspace issues, Dr Balakrishnan said both sides' transport ministers and senior officials have been meeting to discuss the matters. "And again, we look forward to finding a solution that is mutually agreeable, and - fortunately or unfortunately - in my capacity as Acting Transport Minister, this is also my problem at this point in time," he added.
Dr Balakrishnan is standing in for Mr Khaw Boon Wan, who underwent minor surgery for a fractured left arm yesterday morning.
Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Maliki Osman said in Malay: "As close neighbours, issues will naturally surface from time to time that we have to deal with.
"What is important is how we deal with them - discussing in good faith, complying with international law and honouring existing agreements."
He added: "Despite these current difficulties, Singapore still hopes to work with Malaysia for better relations, and for closer long-term cooperation that will benefit the citizens of both sides."
By Adrian Lim, Political Correspondent, The Straits Times, 2 Mar 2019
A joint working group looking into the maritime border dispute between Singapore and Malaysia will submit its recommendations to the foreign ministers of the two countries early this month.
In an update yesterday, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said that officials have been meeting to discuss measures to de-escalate the situation on the ground, and are aware of the urgent need to prevent accidents and untoward incidents.
Last month, the Greek-registered bulk carrier Pireas collided with Malaysian government vessel Polaris, which was anchored illegally in Singapore's territorial waters.
Dr Balakrishnan told Parliament that while several issues with Malaysia have emerged in recent months, the Government is committed to resolving them in an "amicable and constructive manner, and in strict accordance with bilateral agreements and international law".
Besides the maritime dispute, the two countries are in disagreement over Singapore's introduction of new landing procedures for Seletar Airport and Malaysia's subsequent decision to declare a restricted zone over Pasir Gudang for the purpose of military activities.
Both countries have agreed to mutually suspend the measures until the end of this month.
Yesterday, Mr Vikram Nair (Sembawang GRC) and Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim (Nee Soon GRC) asked for updates on the disputes, during the debate on the budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On the landing procedures and airspace issues, Dr Balakrishnan said both sides' transport ministers and senior officials have been meeting to discuss the matters. "And again, we look forward to finding a solution that is mutually agreeable, and - fortunately or unfortunately - in my capacity as Acting Transport Minister, this is also my problem at this point in time," he added.
Dr Balakrishnan is standing in for Mr Khaw Boon Wan, who underwent minor surgery for a fractured left arm yesterday morning.
Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Maliki Osman said in Malay: "As close neighbours, issues will naturally surface from time to time that we have to deal with.
"What is important is how we deal with them - discussing in good faith, complying with international law and honouring existing agreements."
He added: "Despite these current difficulties, Singapore still hopes to work with Malaysia for better relations, and for closer long-term cooperation that will benefit the citizens of both sides."
Parliament: Singapore will not allow any foreign government to assert authority in its waters, says Vivian Balakrishnan
By Rachel Au-Yong, Housing Correspondent, The Straits Times, 27 Feb 2019
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Singapore "will not allow any foreign government to assert any authority in our waters", Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said in a strongly worded statement in Parliament yesterday.
"If there are any attempts to assert authority or take any unauthorised actions, our agencies, our vessels and our forces will take appropriate measures," he added.
He was replying to Nominated MP Walter Theseira, who asked about a collision earlier this month between Malaysian government vessel Polaris and Greek-registered bulk carrier Pireas in Singapore's territorial waters off Tuas.
Associate Professor Theseira also asked what measures can be taken to ensure that vessels, crew and passengers will not be subject to foreign authority while in Singapore territorial waters or for acts committed in Singapore territorial waters.
The collision on Feb 9 took place as the Pireas was on its way from Singapore to its next port of call, Tanjung Pelepas in Johor.
Dr Balakrishnan told the House that a Singapore Police Coast Guard vessel on site observed and recorded the collision. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was thus notified by the Maritime Security Task Force and the Pireas itself.
And the MPA, having determined the incident was not a "very serious maritime casualty" under the International Maritime Organisation's code on casualties, allowed the vessel to proceed to its next port of call.
The minister noted that Pireas was not detained by the Malaysian authorities in Singapore waters.
Malaysia, on Oct 25 last year, unilaterally gazetted altered port limits that went beyond its past claims and intruded into Singapore's territorial waters. Malaysian government vessels have also continued to intrude into those waters. Singapore has called on Malaysia to withdraw its ships and return to the status quo before Oct 25. It has also extended its port limits off Tuas to the full extent of its territorial waters, and both countries are in talks on the matter.
Prof Theseira also asked the minister what mariners should do if they were given instructions by Malaysian vessels in Singapore waters, and what Singapore forces would do if they were to observe such attempts to give instructions.
Dr Balakrishnan said the waters have been designated as Singapore's port limits, hence, all vessels passing through should take instructions from MPA. "Any foreign government vessels have no locus standi to be issuing any instructions."
By Rachel Au-Yong, Housing Correspondent, The Straits Times, 27 Feb 2019
"If there are any attempts to assert authority or take any unauthorised actions, our agencies, our vessels and our forces will take appropriate measures," he added.
He was replying to Nominated MP Walter Theseira, who asked about a collision earlier this month between Malaysian government vessel Polaris and Greek-registered bulk carrier Pireas in Singapore's territorial waters off Tuas.
Associate Professor Theseira also asked what measures can be taken to ensure that vessels, crew and passengers will not be subject to foreign authority while in Singapore territorial waters or for acts committed in Singapore territorial waters.
The collision on Feb 9 took place as the Pireas was on its way from Singapore to its next port of call, Tanjung Pelepas in Johor.
Dr Balakrishnan told the House that a Singapore Police Coast Guard vessel on site observed and recorded the collision. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was thus notified by the Maritime Security Task Force and the Pireas itself.
And the MPA, having determined the incident was not a "very serious maritime casualty" under the International Maritime Organisation's code on casualties, allowed the vessel to proceed to its next port of call.
The minister noted that Pireas was not detained by the Malaysian authorities in Singapore waters.
Malaysia, on Oct 25 last year, unilaterally gazetted altered port limits that went beyond its past claims and intruded into Singapore's territorial waters. Malaysian government vessels have also continued to intrude into those waters. Singapore has called on Malaysia to withdraw its ships and return to the status quo before Oct 25. It has also extended its port limits off Tuas to the full extent of its territorial waters, and both countries are in talks on the matter.
Prof Theseira also asked the minister what mariners should do if they were given instructions by Malaysian vessels in Singapore waters, and what Singapore forces would do if they were to observe such attempts to give instructions.
Dr Balakrishnan said the waters have been designated as Singapore's port limits, hence, all vessels passing through should take instructions from MPA. "Any foreign government vessels have no locus standi to be issuing any instructions."
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