Under The Angsana Tree: Malaysia and Singapore dispute over air and sea boundaries

NEW QUARRELS, OLD SCARS

A radar system in the Lion City that will bring low-flying jets over Johor has rattled Kuala Lumpur. But the city state says its northern neighbour has repeatedly intruded into Singaporean waters

Relatively balmy ties between Malaysia and Singapore on Tuesday took a turn for the worse as the two neighbours bristled at each other for purportedly violating each other’s air and sea boundaries, rekindling memories of now-resolved disputes over similar issues decades earlier.

The development was the first major low point in the bilateral relationship since the May election in which former prime minister Najib Razak, often viewed as friendly to Singapore, was ousted. His successor, 93-year-old Mahathir Mohamad, who is serving a second stint as premier, is perceived by foreign policy observers on both sides as being hawkish towards the Lion City. One Malaysian analyst told This Week in Asia the veteran politician might be using Singapore as an external bogeyman as domestic pressure intensifies for his new government.

Tuesday’s salvo of accusation and counter-accusation was kicked off by Malaysia’s Transport Minister Anthony Loke, as he told parliament in the morning that the government was angered by the Lion City’s unilateral decision to broadcast a new radar system in its secondary civilian airport.

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MOT calls on Malaysian counterparts to release ‘all correspondence’ on Seletar Airport issue

Spore's Ministry of Transport said that it published certain documents related to the Instrument Landing System procedures for Seletar Airport to address media queries, after its Malaysian counterpart accused it of not disclosing other documents on the matter

Singapore’s Ministry of Transport (MOT) said that it has “no objection” if its Malaysian counterparts want to make public the correspondence the 2 sides have had on the Seletar Airport issue. However, they should release “all correspondence & records of discussions” between both parties, including the latest meeting held on Nov 29 and 30, “for transparency”.

The MOT said this in a statement on Monday (Dec 10), after the Malaysian transport ministry called on Singapore to make public the letters from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) to its Singaporean counterparts on Oct 9, Nov 15, 21 & 28.

“Failing to do so, we are prepared to release the letters for full disclosure of such information for the public’s comprehension of our stand on the same,” Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport said earlier on Monday in a statement.

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Loke: Singapore being 'partial and selective' on ILS issue

Transport Minister Anthony Loke, in a statement, said that while the ministry was appreciative of efforts by Singapore to promote transparency by releasing documents pertaining to its consultations with Malaysia on Dec 4, he said the disclosure was "partial and selective with the primary aim of influencing public opinion". Pic by NSTP/AHMAD IRHAM MOHD NOOR

The Transport Ministry has accused its Singapore counterparts of being “partial and selective” when disseminating information over the issue concerning the proposed Instrument Landing System (ILS) procedure for Seletar Airport.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke, in a statement, said that while the ministry was appreciative of efforts by Singapore to promote transparency by releasing documents pertaining to its consultations with Malaysia on Dec 4, he said the disclosure was "partial and selective with the primary aim of influencing public opinion".

Loke said the Singapore Transport Ministry should also release the letters issued from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) dated Oct 9, 2018; Nov 15, 2018; Nov 21, 2018 and Nov 28, 2018. "Failing to do so, we are prepared to release the letters for full disclosure of such information for the public's comprehension of our stand on the same," Loke said.

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MOT slams Singapore's 'selective' release of documents over Seletar flight path dispute, calls for full disclosure

The Malaysian Ministry of Transport (MoT), in a statement today, accused Singapore of wanting to influence public opinion with its "partial and selective" public release of documents last week over the disputed Instrument Landing System (ILS) procedures for the city-state's Seletar Airport.

It was referring to the Singaporean Ministry of Transport's release, on Dec 4, of documents related to consultations held with Malaysia on the proposed ILS procedures for the Seletar Airport.

It went on to urge Singapore's Transport Ministry to also release four letters from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) to its Singaporean counterpart — the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS). The letters were dated Oct 9, Nov 15, Nov 21, and Nov 28 this year.

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Transport Ministry pushes Singapore opposite for details on Seletar air navigation system

The Transport Ministry wants its Singapore counterpart to release all letters by the Civil Aviation Authority related to the Instrument Landing System (ILS) at the Seletar Airport.

It thanked the Singapore ministry for releasing some documents on Tuesday over the system that is at the centre of an airspace dispute between the two countries.

“However, the disclosure is only partial and selective with the primary aim of influencing public opinion,” it said in a statement.

The ministry then said it would contact the aviation regulator directly for clarification if Singapore chooses not to publish the letters sent from Oct 9 to Nov 15.

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Citing confidentiality, Singapore says only released relevant info on Seletar navigation system

Singapore today said it had only released the relevant documents on an air navigation system for the Seletar Airport in Singapore, and did not release additional letters between Singapore and Malaysia in order to safeguard the confidentiality of the two nations’ discussions.

Singapore’s Ministry of Transport (MOT) was responding to its Malaysian counterpart’s claim today that it had allegedly “selectively published” documents on the Instrument Landing System (ILS) procedures for the Seletar Airport.

Singapore’s MOT said it had last Tuesday released the relevant correspondence to answer media queries on whether the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) had consulted its Malaysian counterpart back in December 2017 and to address Malaysia’s allegedly inaccurate claim of the matter only being brought to their attention in October 2018.

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Senior member of Mahathir’s party warns S'pore of 'pain by a thousand cuts' for its stance on maritime dispute

Dr Rais Hussin, who heads Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s policy & strategy bureau, said that there is “nothing to gain by issuing threats to interdict Malaysian ships in Malaysian or Singaporean waters. What they will get is only pain by a thousand cuts”.

A supreme council member of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s party, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM), has said that Singapore will get "pain by a thousand cuts” for its position on the maritime dispute with Malaysia.

Dr Rais Hussin, who heads PPBM’s policy & strategy bureau, added that the Republic will gain nothing "by hardening its stance" against its neighbour.

Writing in a commentary published on the Malaysiakini & Malay Mail websites on Sunday (Dec 9), Dr Rais said that Singapore needs to “smarten up” & “live and let live”.

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Singapore gains nothing with harder stance against KL in dispute, says PPBM strategist

Part of the Johor Baru port, as seen from Tuas on Dec 5, 2018. PHOTO: ST FILE

"All put, there is nothing that Singapore can gain by hardening its stance against Malaysia" in issues such as maritime boundaries.

"It helps not to turn a spat into a spar, which repeated often enough, can be a bone spur that presses against the spinal chord of both countries.

"Then what? Fight & tear at each other's faces? Singapore & Malaysia both know that wars are meant to make an orphan of all children of their respective populations," he wrote in a piece in English carried in the Malay Mail & Malaysiakini.

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Ho Ching remarks to Senior member of Mahathir’s party: “Chill, man”

Even though a supreme council member of Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad’s party, has said that Singapore will get “pain by a thousand cuts” for its position on the maritime dispute with Malaysia, Ho Ching has replied rather coolly on Facebook.

The Chief Executive Officer of Temasek Holdings and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s wife took on Dr Rais Hussin, who is the head of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s (PPBM) policy and strategy bureau. Dr Rais said that said that Singapore will get “pain by a thousand cuts” for its position on the maritime dispute with Malaysia, and that the Republic will gain nothing “by hardening its stance” against its neighbour.

In response, Ho Ching shared an article by TODAY, and casually remarked, “Chill, man”. This was rather unusual as while the head of Temasek is very active on the social media platform, she rarely adds comments to the posts she shares.

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Singapore and Malaysia tangle over air and sea sovereignty

Singaporean ships and helicopters patrol the waters around Sentosa Island in June: The city-state has a number of disputes with its northern neighbor, Malaysia © Reuters

Singapore and Malaysia are again tussling over territorial issues as Malaysia pushes to regain control of its airspace and territorial waters along its southern border. "It is now time that we regain our control of airspace in Malaysian territory," Transport Minister Anthony Loke said at a news conference on Tuesday. "Over the years we have upgraded our air traffic control and we are capable to do so."

Citing concerns over sovereignty and the national interest, Loke said Malaysia will discuss its plans in greater detail with Singapore, and if necessary refer the matter to the International Civil Aviation Organization. Since 1974, air traffic in southern Johor State, near the Singaporean border, has been handled by Singapore.

Loke pointed to Singapore's plan to expand Seletar Airport, the city-state's second airport, which is currently used for international charter flights, private flights, medical evacuation, maintenance, repair and overhauls, as well as airfreight. Malaysia says Seletar Airport, located in northern Singapore near the Malaysian border, means the increase in air traffic could harm Johor's development. "We are not against Seletar Airport, but as far as the descent flight path, it cannot be over [the southern Johor district of] Pasir Gudang," Loke said.

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Singapore-KL ties hit by disputes over waters and airspace

Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said the Malaysian actions "are clearly a violation of our sovereignty & international law". ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN

Singapore-Malaysia ties took a sudden turn on 2 fronts yesterday, as simmering disputes over airspace and territorial waters came into the open.

Singapore said it had lodged a strong protest with Kuala Lumpur over its move to extend the Johor Baru port limits to encroach into the Republic's territorial waters off Tuas.

The Republic added that it would not hesitate to take firm action against intrusions & unauthorised activities in its waters.

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Why Singapore and Malaysia Are Locking Horns Again

Malaysia and Singapore have endured their share of neighborly squabbles in the five decades since the Southeast Asian nations split, not least when Mahathir Mohamad was running Malaysia from 1981 to 2003. Relations improved markedly under Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, but he suffered a shock election defeat in May that returned Mahathir to power. With the 93-year-old’s political renaissance, there’s been a return of cross-border tension over longstanding issues such as water supply, to newer topics like a proposed high-speed rail link.

Here are some recent bones of contention:

Port limits -- Singapore protested over Malaysia’s move to extend the limits of a port in Johor state, saying it encroaches into Singapore’s territorial waters. Mahathir says Malaysia remains in its own waters. The two countries then accused each other of incursions into their respective territorial waters.
High-speed rail link -- Mahathir initially said he’d cancel a proposed multibillion-dollar high-speed railway link to Singapore to cut costs. Singapore responded by saying it would seek compensation. The neighbors agreed to delay kicking off work on the 350-kilometer (218 miles) route from Kuala Lumpur until 2020, while the first train isn’t likely to operate before 2031, four years later than originally envisioned.
Airspace -- Malaysia wants to retake airspace in Johor from Singapore in stages beginning end-2019. Singapore responded by saying the countries had an agreement dating back to 1974 that gave it the right to provide air traffic services in the airspace above southern Johor. Malaysia also sent a protest note over Singapore’s flight path from its Seletar airport.
Water -- After his reelection, Mahathir suggested renegotiating a 1962 deal to supply water to Singapore, saying it was too costly. However, Malaysian Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng later said that the country would stick with its agreement.
Disputed islands -- Not every dispute is getting pricklier. Under Najib, Malaysia brought two cases related to an International Court of Justice ruling over the sovereignty of the Pedra Branca islands and related island outcrops. Under Mahathir, Malaysia dropped the case

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Air and sea dispute: Timeline of actions by Singapore and Malaysia

In July this year, the Changi Airport Group “formally informed” Firefly that its flights would be relocated to Seletar Airport on Dec 1

On Tuesday (Dec 4), Singapore and Malaysia transport agencies and officials were involved in a public exchange of words regarding separate protests lodged against each other over issues related to airspace and territorial waters. This is the timeline of events leading up to the protest notes:

Oct 25: The Attorney General’s Chambers of Malaysia publishes a “Declaration of Alteration of Port Limits for Johore Bahru Port” in the Federal Government Gazette.
Nov 22: Malaysian budget airline Firefly says it will suspend all flights into Singapore from Dec 1
Nov 23: The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) claims it was never consulted on the timeline to move scheduled turbo-prop operations to Seletar Airport.
Nov 24: The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) says Firefly has yet to get the green light from the Malaysian authorities to move its operations to Seletar Airport.
Nov 30: The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) issues a port marine circular saying it does not recognise the port limits published by the Attorney General’s Chambers of Malaysia.
Dec 4: Malaysia’s Transport Minister Anthony Loke says Malaysia will issue a protest note to Singapore over the Republic’s plan to use southern Johor airspace for flight operations at Seletar Airport

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Observers see disputes continuing for some time

ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute fellow Mustafa Izzuddin believes "these overtures will go down well with the general public in Malaysia and, in particular, Johoreans". ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN

The disputes between Singapore and Malaysia over airspace and territorial waters, which surfaced yesterday, are likely to continue for some time under the government of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, observers said.

Hours after Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced Kuala Lumpur's intention to reclaim airspace over southern Johor which had long been delegated to Singapore to manage, the Republic highlighted its concern over Kuala Lumpur extending the Johor Baru port limits to encroach on Singapore's waters.

ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute fellow Mustafa Izzuddin said the recent moves could be due to "domestic pressures confronting the Malaysian government to safeguard its own national interests", & to demonstrate to its people that it is strong & competent.

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Why the Singapore-Malaysia maritime and airspace disputes matter

It has been just seven months since Dr Mahathir Mohamad led the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition to a shock victory at Malaysia’s May 9 polls.

But the period has been marked by several run-ins between Dr Mahathir’s new government and Singapore — with the latest being the disputes over airspace and territorial waters.

Observers have noted that several issues — such as water prices and the “crooked bridge” — were Dr Mahathir’s pet topics, during his first stint as Malaysia’s Prime Minister from 1981 to 2003.

THE RUN-INS:

High-Speed Rail project
Water Prices
Crooked Bridge
Maritime Borders
Southern Johor Airspace

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Malaysia sends 2 protest notes to Singapore over airspace and maritime disputes

The Malaysian government said on Wed (Dec 5) that it has sent 2 protest notes to Singapore pertaining to the airspace and maritime boundary delimitation issues currently facing both countries.

The notes were communicated through the Singaporean High Commissioner to Malaysia, according to a press release from Malaysia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The first note pertains to Singapore's publication of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and ILS Approach Procedures for Seletar Airport on Dec 1.

The second protest note pertains to the outstanding maritime boundary delimitation between Malaysia and Singapore, including the new Johore Bahru Port Limits and the recent incidents in relation to it, the ministry said.

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Singapore, Malaysia airspace dispute: What we know and timeline

Airspace management over southern Johor came into the spotlight on Tuesday (Dec 4), after Singapore and Malaysia traded conflicting views over the issue.

Malaysia's Transport Minister Anthony Loke said in parliament that the country wants to reclaim its "delegated airspace" in southern Johor, prompting Singapore's Ministry of Transport to respond with a statement defending the status quo.

TIMELINE OF EVENTS:

Dec 5, 2017: CAAS presents the implementation plan for ILS procedures at Seletar during a meeting between Singapore and Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, according to an extract of minutes.
Dec 6, 2017: CAAS emails information about the ILS procedures, including a draft instrument approach chart and an overview map, to the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) for its assessment prior to publication of the procedures.
Jun 6, 2018: CAAS emails its Malaysian counterpart saying that it would like to publish the ILS procedures, with the procedures to be effective on Aug 16, 2018.
Aug 7, 2018: CAAS says its management met CAAM management and provided more details on the ILS procedures. CAAS also requested "urgent operational feedback", it said.
Aug 15, 2018: CAAS says it sent an email to follow up on the Aug 7 meeting stressing the "urgency of the matter", and requested CAAM's response by Aug 27.
Nov 29, 2018: The two authorities meet in Singapore, and CAAM raises technical concerns with the ILS procedures, says CAAS.
Nov 30, 2018: The two meet in Kuala Lumpur to discuss the records of the previous day's meeting.
Dec 4, 2018: Mr Loke speaks in parliament, says Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs will send a statement of protest to Singapore over what he described as a "violation" of principle, referring to Singapore's publication of ILS procedures.

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Malaysia wants Johor airspace back from Singapore, says Malaysian Transport Minister

A view of the Second Link between Malaysia and Singapore at Tuas

Malaysia will send a protest note to Singapore over the island republic’s plan to use southern Johor airspace for flight operations at Seletar Airport, & start talks on taking back its delegated airspace in the south.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said Singapore, without Malaysia’s consent, had on December 1 issued new Instrument Landing System (ILS) procedures for the Seletar Airport to be enforced on January 3.

The new ILS procedures — which provide precision lateral & vertical guidance to an aircraft approaching and landing on a runway — in Singapore’s Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP), would jeopardise development in Pasir Gudang, Mr Loke said.

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Putrajaya to reclaim airspace from Singapore starting next year

Transport Minister Anthony Loke speaks during a press conference in Putrajaya December 4, 2018. — Picture by Hari Anggara

The federal government will seek to reclaim its airspace in phases between 2019 and 2023, after allowing Singapore to use the delegated airspace in southern Johor since 1974. In addition, it will also send Singapore a protest note over the latter’s decision to operate its instrument landing system (ILS) for the Seletar Airport near the border with Johor, despite opposition by Malaysia.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said in Parliament that Putrajaya has disallowed Singapore from broadcasting the new ILS on November 28 and 29 this year, in order to protect the sovereignty of airspace and development around Pasir Gudang in Johor.

“However, Singapore has broadcast the ILS on December 1, 2018 and will be enforced on January 3, 2019 without the agreement of the Malaysian government. This is against the principle of national sovereignty as accorded under the Convention of Civil Aviation 1944. “The government, through Wisma Putra, will issue a protest note immediately to Singapore in connection to the breach of this principle of sovereignty,” said Loke during the Minister's Question Time in Dewan Rakyat here.

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Malaysia's desire to take back airspace 'not a straightforward decision': Khaw Boon Wan

Malaysia's desire to reclaim the airspace in southern Johor is not a "straightforward decision", said Singapore's Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan on Tue (Dec 4).

Malaysia's Transport Minister Anthony Loke had brought up the topic in parliament earlier Tuesday, saying Malaysia would discuss its plans in greater detail with Singapore & if necessary, refer to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for further advice.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Khaw said that the Malaysian authorities had earlier informed the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore of its intention to take back the airspace, citing "sovereignty issues & so on".

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Southern Johor airspace arrangements 'have worked well', any changes will affect many: MOT

The current airspace arrangements over southern Johor have benefitted both Singapore & Malaysia, and any changes will impact many stakeholders, Singapore's Ministry of Transport (MOT) said in a statement on Tue (Dec 4).

The statement was made in response to remarks by Malaysia's Transport Minister Anthony Loke, who said in parliament on Tuesday that Malaysia wants to reclaim its "delegated airspace" in southern Johor.

In its statement, MOT pointed out that under current airspace arrangements, the provision of air traffic services in the airspace over southern Johor was delegated to Singapore, & that airspace in this region was one of the "most complex in the world".

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Singapore paper questions Malaysia’s ability to manage airspace being reclaimed

The Straits Times (ST) questioned today Malaysia’s ability to manage the airspace in southern Johor compared to Singapore, amid Putrajaya’s plan to reclaim it in phases from the republic.

In an opinion piece, its senior aviation correspondent Karamjit Kaur insisted that airspace management is about keeping commercial flights safe amid increasing traffic rather than sovereignty.

“Of course, a country that does not manage its own airspace, for whatever reasons, has every right to reclaim it,” Kaur wrote, pointing to Putrajaya’s decision on the airspace where Singapore has been providing air traffic services as part of a 1974 deal. “The big question that must be asked is why and the answer cannot be ‘because it's mine’,” she added.

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Loke: We’re against ILS by Seletar Airport

Malaysia will issue a protest note to Singapore over the operation of the instrument landing system (ILS) for Seletar Airport near its border with Johor, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

The protest note by Wisma Putra follows Singapore’s decision to start broadcasting ILS early next year despite Malaysia’s decision not to allow it on grounds that it will infringe the nation’s sovereignty and airspace near Pasir Gudang in Johor just 2km away. ILS is a ground-based instrument (which combines radio signals and high intensity lighting) which provides precision guidance to pilots when approaching and landing, especially when it is raining or at night.

“The broadcast is against the principle of national sovereignty under the Convention of Civil Aviation 1944.

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Putrajaya to send objection letter to Singapore for flying low over Johor

Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook says the government will protect the sovereignty of the country but without carrying out extreme actions

Putrajaya will send an objection letter to Singapore over commercial planes flying low over Malaysian airspace to go to Seletar Airport in Singapore. The airport is 2km away from the Johor border.

Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook said the letter would be sent immediately as it involved the sovereignty of Malaysia.

He was replying to Hassan Abdul Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang) who asked if the minister was aware that low flying commercial airplanes entering into Singapore would “affect” residents in Pasir Gudang and Johor port.

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Managing airspace not tied to sovereignty, says Khaw Boon Wan

Management of the skies has "nothing to do with sovereignty", Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said yesterday after Malaysia signalled that it wanted to reclaim its rights to run the airspace over southern Johor.

Mr Khaw said the airspace was delegated to Singapore's management under an agreement with regional states, including Malaysia, in 1973, and this was approved by an international body, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

Moreover, it is not a "straightforward" decision to just alter the status quo, & under ICAO processes, there must be a reason for the change, such as improvements to safety & efficiency, Mr Khaw told reporters at Seletar Airport.

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MOT releases documents detailing extensive discussions on Seletar Airport airspace issue

The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has released documents pertaining to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore’s (CAAS) consultations with its Malaysian counterpart on the implementation of Seletar Airport’s Instrument Landing System (ILS) procedures.

On Tuesday (4 December), the Malaysian government said that it would reclaim its airspace over southern Johor from Singapore in phases between 2019 and 2023.

Putrajaya also sent the Republic a protest note over the latter’s decision to operate its ILS for Seletar Airport near the border with Johor, despite the former’s objections. Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that his country wants to protect the sovereignty of airspace and development around Pasir Gudang in Johor:

Minutes of Dec 2017 meeting between aviation authorities
Email asking for updates on issue
More meetings, requests for feedback
Proposal in line with ICAO standards and procedures

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No KL nod for Seletar move, so Firefly has to shelve flights

Firefly - a Malaysia Airlines subsidiary - first agreed in 2014 that it would transfer all operations to a new passenger terminal to be built at Seletar to handle turboprop flights, which it operates. PHOTO: ST FILE

2 days after Malaysian carrier Firefly made a surprising announcement that it would suspend all flights to Singapore from Dec 1, the reason has emerged: It has not received approval from its regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), to move from Changi to Seletar Airport.

In July this year, Firefly was informed that the move would happen on Dec 1.

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Malaysia proposes to Singapore for both sides to stop sending assets to 'disputed' maritime area

A Malaysian government vessel intruding into Singapore territorial waters off Tuas. (Screenshot of video by Singapore’s Ministry of Defence)

The Malaysian government has proposed to Singapore for both countries to stop sending assets into the “disputed” maritime area amid the ongoing bilateral spat over territorial boundaries.

In a statement on Friday (7 December), Malaysian Foreign Affairs Minister Saifuddin Abdullah suggested, through the Singaporean High Commissioner in Kuala Lumpur, for the two countries to observe the cease and desist action effective 0000 hours on 8 December 2018.

“The action to desist would be undertaken without prejudice to either Malaysia or Singapore’s position on maritime boundary claims over the area in question,” Saifuddin said.

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Singapore stands firm in dispute over its territorial waters, rejects KL’s call to stop sending assets to area

Singapore has rejected Malaysia’s call for both countries to stop sending assets into an area of the Republic’s waters off Tuas which Kuala Lumpur recently laid claim to.

Malaysian government vessels that have encroached into Singapore’s territorial waters must also leave the area immediately, the Republic added.

“Singapore remains ready to discuss this issue with Malaysia in a constructive manner in the spirit of preserving our important bilateral relationship,” a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) spokesman said on Fri night (Dec 7).

related: Observers stress need to de-escalate dispute urgently

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Maritime dispute: Singapore does not agree with Malaysia's 'cease and desist' proposal

Singapore does not agree with Malaysia's proposal for both countries to "cease and desist" from sending assets into a "disputed area", Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in response to media queries on Fri (Dec 7).

The comments came shortly after Malaysian Foreign Affairs Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said on Friday that Malaysia had proposed to Singapore that both countries "cease and desist" from sending assets into what it called a "disputed area" from midnight on Dec 8.

Singapore has received Malaysia's diplomatic note & "will respond in due course", said an MFA spokesperson.

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Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen warns Malaysian vessels to leave Singapore waters

The SAF Stands Ready

Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen has warned Malaysian vessels intruding in Singapore waters to leave, in his first public comments on the maritime spat between Singapore & Malaysia.

"Singaporeans are peace-loving, but I strongly caution violators to leave Singapore territorial waters," said Dr Ng in a Facebook post on Friday (Dec 7).

He also posted a video titled The SAF Stands Ready, which shows instances of Malaysian vessels intruding into Singapore waters in recent weeks.

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In tit-for-tat, Singapore extends its port limits

The gazette for the extension of the Singapore Port Limits off Tuas takes effect today. (AFP pic)

Singapore today warned that it would not hesitate to take firm actions against “intrusions” by Malaysian vessels into its waters.

And in a tit-for-tat move, the island republic said it had decided to extend the Singapore Port Limits off Tuas. This extension, it said, was well within Singapore’s territorial waters and that the gazette took effect today. The extension tracks the eastern boundary of the 1999 Johor Bahru Port Limits.

Singapore Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and the Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan said while the country upheld international law and respected bilateral agreements, “we will protect and defend Singapore’s territorial sovereignty”.

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Tit-for-tat as Malaysia denies Singapore’s territorial sea claims

THE Malaysia-Singapore confrontation heats up as both nations claimed sovereign rights infringements and breaches of international laws less than four weeks after both its leaders spoke about the strong ties between the two nations.

In what is seen as a tit-for-tat response to Malaysia’s intention to reclaim its airspace, the republic’s Transport Ministry had voiced “with grave concern” that Malaysia’s extension of the Johor Baru port limits had encroached into Singapore territorial waters (STW) off Tuas.

The republic also warned it would enforce its territorial rights including for its navy and coast guard to patrol the area against any infringements of Malaysian vessels. Singapore claimed that vessels from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and Marine Department Malaysia had repeatedly intruded into STW off Tuas.

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Minister Khaw tells Malaysia to 'back off' as Singapore expands port limits

Malaysia should "back off" & leave Singapore's waters. That was the firm message from Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan yesterday, as he urged Singapore's closest neighbour to pursue dialogue instead of "blatant provocation" to resolve the row over port limits & territorial waters.

Mr Khaw revealed that in the past 2 weeks, there have been 14 incursions by Malaysian government vessels into Singapore's waters. 3 of these vessels were still in Singapore waters yesterday, he told the media. Singapore decided to expand its own port limits in response to Malaysia's action, he said. While the Republic has so far responded with restraint against the "aggressive actions" by the Malaysian vessels in its waters, it will not hesitate to act firmly to protect its territory & sovereignty, if necessary, Mr Khaw said.

"My main message today is ... Back off. Leave our waters while we pursue sit-down dialogues & try to resolve it."

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Singapore extends port limits off Tuas amid maritime boundary standoff with M’sia

A map showing the territorial boundaries between Singapore & Malaysia, & the Republic's port limits extension. Source: S'pore Ministry of Transport

In view of recent “provocative developments” by Malaysia, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said on Thursday (Dec 6) that Singapore will extend its port limits off Tuas with immediate effect.

The gazetted expansion of Singapore’s port limits — which overlaps Malaysia’s unilateral extension of the Johor Baru port limits on Oct 25 — is “well within” Singapore’s territorial waters, Mr Khaw said at a press conference held at the Parliament House.

On Tuesday, the Singapore Government disclosed that ships & vessels from Malaysia have been repeatedly intruding into Singapore’s territorial waters off Tuas for 2 weeks, including vessels from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and Marine Department Malaysia. At least 2 vessels were seen by TODAY intruding into Singapore’s territorial waters on Thursday afternoon.

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Singapore extends port limits off Tuas, won't hesitate to take action against Malaysia intrusions: Khaw

14 intrusions to-date, each dot represents one of their government vessel

Singapore has extended its port limits off Tuas and it will not hesitate to take "firm actions" against intrusions in its waters, said Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan on Thursday (Dec 6) at a media conference addressing Malaysia's purported extension of the Johor Bahru port limits.

Mr Khaw said that there had been 14 intrusions into Singapore's territorial waters off Tuas in the past two weeks, after changes to the port limits were announced through Malaysia's Federal Government Gazette on Oct 25, 2018.

Singapore had protested the repeated intrusions via three Third Party Notes, he added. Mr Khaw said Singapore's security agencies will continue to patrol the area and respond to unauthorised activities on the ground.

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Reclamation at Tuas has nothing to do with maritime boundary dispute, says Khaw

Calling on Malaysia to stop the intrusion of vessels into Singapore’s territorial waters before things get out of hand, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan dismissed Malaysia’s argument that Singapore cannot claim the disputed waters on the basis of its reclamation works in Tuas in recent years.

Reclamation, which started in 1996, should not come into the picture at all, Mr Khaw said on Thu (Dec 6) at a press conference. For the last 20 years, the Johor Baru port limits had not changed until recently on Oct 25, when Malaysia decided to unilaterally expand the boundaries into Singapore’s territory.

3 Malaysian government vessels were in Singapore’s waters at the time of the press conference, and when asked by reporters what the Government will do if they do not leave, Mr Khaw said that security agencies are there to sound off warnings while exercising restraint. “So, the next best step for them is to leave our waters. It’s as simple as that,” he added. “Why must we pursue a destructive path? Beggar thy neighbour — what for?”

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In full: Khaw Boon Wan's statement on Malaysian intrusions into Singapore territorial waters

The 1999 Johor Bahru Port Limits. (Map: Ministry of Transport)

Singapore will not hesitate to take "firm actions" against intrusions in its waters, said Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan on Thursday (Dec 6).

In a statement on the intrusions by Malaysian government vessels into Singapore territorial waters off Tuas, Mr Khaw said that there have so far been 14 such intrusions.

In view of the recent provocations, Singapore has extended its port limits off Tuas, he said.

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Singapore refutes PM Mahathir’s claim that Malaysia has not ‘touched’ Singapore’s border

Singapore said on Wed (Dec 5) that its territorial waters extend westward of its current port limits around Tuas, reiterating that Malaysia's extension of the Johor Bahru port limits is a "serious violation" of Singapore's sovereignty & international law.

It was responding to comments made by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who said that Malaysia has not "touched" Singapore's border. “We can measure to see if it is true or not but we had not touched their border," said Dr Mahathir on the sidelines of an event in Selangor. “We are still within our own waters."

In a statement on Wed, Singapore's Ministry of Transport (MOT) said: "Singapore reiterates that Singapore’s territorial waters do extend westward of our current port limits around Tuas. "Accordingly, the purported extension of the Johor Bahru port limits encroaches into Singapore’s territorial waters in the area & is a serious violation of Singapore’s sovereignty and international law.”

related:
Singapore lodges 'strong protest' over extension of Johor Bahru port limits
Spore's Foreign Affairs Minister V Balakrishnan urges Malaysia to 'cease intrusions'

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Malaysian government ships encroaching on Singapore waters for past 2 weeks

Woodlands Checkpoint Causeway. (Yahoo News Singapore file photo)

Ships from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the Marine Department Malaysia have repeatedly intruded into Singapore’s territorial waters off Tuas over the past two weeks, said Singapore’s Ministry of Transport (MOT) on Tuesday (4 December). The intrusions come in the wake of a purported extension of the Johor Bahru port limits via a Malaysian government gazette dated 25 October, a port circular dated 11 November and a notice to mariners dated 22 November.

In a media statement, MOT said Singapore has lodged a “strong protest” with the Malaysian government over the purported extension of port limits encroaching into Singapore waters. The ministry said the move along with repeated intrusions into Singapore waters by Malaysian government ships are “a serious violation of Singapore’s sovereignty and international law”. “These actions are unconducive to good bilateral relations, cause confusion for the international shipping community, and lead to increased navigational and safety risks for all parties,” it added.

“The Republic of Singapore Navy and Police Coast Guard are safeguarding the sovereignty of Singapore territorial waters and enforcing the security of these waters on a 24/7 basis,” MOT said in its statement. “Singapore will not hesitate to take firm action against intrusions and unauthorised activities in our waters,” the ministry added.

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Johor port extension: Mahathir says Malaysia has not ‘touched’ Singapore’s border

Malaysia is well within its rights to extend the Johor Baru port as it has not trespassed onto Singapore’s territorial waters off Tuas, Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said on Wed (Dec 5).

He said the distance from the border can be measured to determine the claims made by the Singaporean government. Dr Mahathir said: “We can measure to see if it is true or not but we had not touched their border.

“We are still within our own waters,” he told reporters after launching the Union of Pos Malaysia Uniformed Staff (UPUS) conference.

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`Malaysia has not trespassed into Singapore's Territorial Waters`, Dr M

Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad meeting delegates at the launching of the Union of POS Malaysia Uniformed Staff (UPUS) 21st Delegation Conference at THE Grand BlueWave Hotel IN Shah Alam. NSTP/ROSLIN MAT TAHIR

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Malaysia can measure the Johor Bahru port limits to find out if it had encroached into Singapore’s Territorial Waters. “We can measure and see whether we have encroached on their borders, and (ensure) that we are still within our own waters,” he said after launching the Union of Pos Malaysia Uniformed Staff (UPUS) conference here today.

Yesterday, the republic's Ministry of Transport (MOT) in a statement said it noted “with grave concern” Malaysia’s purported move to expand its port boundaries, which violates sovereignty and international laws. The neighbours said they will not hesitate to “take firm action against intrusions and unauthorised activities”.

It claimed that ships and vessels from Malaysia had been repeatedly intruding into Singapore’s territorial waters off Tuas over the past two weeks, including vessels from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and Marine Department Malaysia.

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Minister rejects Singapore’s claim of encroachment over JB port limits

Anthony Loke said today that the Johor Baru port alteration did not encroach into the territorial area of Singapore as alleged by the republic. Loke said that Singapore’s claim that its borders had been extended through land reclamation was not valid in international law.

“Singapore has in recent years carried out extensive land reclamation in the area in question. “It is trite law that land reclamation does not extend a state’s base points and/or baselines,” he said, after chairing the inaugural meeting of National Aviation Council here today.

Loke added that in accordance with international law, Singapore’s reclamation does not alter its territorial waters. He added that the altered limits at the Johor port remained clearly in Malaysia’s sovereign territory.

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Johor Baru Port limits do not encroach into Singapore, despite their land reclamation, says Loke

The newly-altered limits for Johor Baru Port do not encroach into Singapore's territory, said Anthony Loke. The Transport Minister said Singapore's claims that the extension of the port limits intruded into Singapore waters were “inaccurate”. “Malaysia has always had and continues to have sovereignty over the waters within the port limits for Johor Bahru Port.

"Singapore has in recent years carried out extensive land reclamation in the area in question," said Loke in a statement on Wednesday (Dec 5). Loke said that in accordance with international law, the territorial sea of Singapore remains unchanged even when reclamation has been carried out almost to the outer limits of Singapore’s territorial seas. “As such, the altered port limits of Johor Bahru Port are in Malaysia’s territorial sea and it is well within Malaysia’s right to draw any port limit in our territorial sea in accordance with our own national laws," added Loke.

He said that Malaysia has also taken prudent action to accurately promulgate the alteration via our Federal Government Gazette and to issue the necessary Port Circular and Notice to Mariners," said Loke. He also said it was Malaysia's sovereign right to deploy enforcement agencies in its own territorial sea. “This practice is fully consistent with international law and, as such, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the Marine Department of Malaysia have not intruded into any of part of Singapore,” he said.

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Singapore protests as Malaysia expands port limits, vessels intrude territorial waters off Tuas

Trucks carry sand at land reclamation area overlooking Singapore's Tuas industrial area. In its statement, the Ministry of Transport expressed "grave concern" over Malaysia's move to expand the Johor port limits, which encroach into Singapore's territorial waters off Tuas

The Singapore Government is strongly protesting Malaysia’s purported move to expand its port boundaries, which violates sovereignty & international laws, & it will not hesitate to “take firm action against intrusions and unauthorised activities”.

This is after ships and vessels from Malaysia have been repeatedly intruding into Singapore’s territorial waters off Tuas over the past two weeks, including vessels from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency & Marine Department Malaysia.

These details were disclosed on Tuesday (Dec 4) by Singapore's Ministry of Transport (MOT), hours after Malaysia's Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that his country will “immediately” issue a protest note over Singapore's plan to use the southern Johor Baru airspace for flight operations at Seletar Airport.

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Malaysian sea incursions have violated Singapore's sovereignty, international law: Khaw

Repeated incursions by Malaysian government vessels into Singapore’s territorial waters off Tuas represent “a violation of our sovereignty and also international law”, said Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan on Tuesday (4 December). Speaking to reporters at Seletar Airport, Khaw noted, “And in fact, in the last two weeks, there have been repeated intrusions by Malaysian vessels and their enforcement agency…into our sovereign space. So we of course, continue to issue (Third Party Notes) to Malaysia and hope that they would stop this escalation of actions.”

On Tuesday, Khaw’s ministry said that ships from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the Marine Department Malaysia have repeatedly intruded into the Republic’s territorial waters. The intrusions come in the wake of a purported extension of the Johor Bahru port limits via a Malaysian government gazette dated 25 October, a port circular dated 11 November and a notice to mariners dated 22 November.

The Transport Minister said that he had raised the issue with his Malaysia counterpart Anthony Loke during the ASEAN Transport Ministers meeting in Bangkok last month. Loke said then that Malaysia’s foreign ministry would respond on the issue. “But while waiting for the response, which didn’t come, in fact, they escalated their actions. They went on to publish a port circular and a few weeks later, a mariner’s note. So these are instructions to the shipping community about their new boundaries. So we issued a second TPN,” said Khaw.

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JB port limits : Singapore hopes to resolve matter amicably

Singapore stands ready to engage with Malaysia to resolve matters related to Johor Bahru port limits, amicably, in accordance with international law, says the republic’s Ministry of Transport (MOT). Pic by NSTP/Courtesy of Marine Dept

In a statement issued here, MOT said it noted “with grave concern” that Malaysia has recently purported to extend the Johor Baru port limits in a manner which encroaches into Singapore Territorial Waters (STW) off Tuas. MOT said it was done through Malaysia’s publication of Federal Government Gazette P.U. (B) 587 “Declaration of Alteration of Port Limits for Johore Bahru Port” dated Oct 25, 2018 (the “Gazette Notification”), Port Circular No. 88/2018 dated Nov 11, 2018 (“PC 88/2018”), and Notice to Mariners No. 164/2018 dated Nov 22, 2018 (“NtM 164/2018”).

In response, the ministry said Singapore has lodged strong protest with the Malaysian government. MOT said it has also requested that Malaysia amend the Gazette Notification, PC 88/2018 and NtM 164/2018 to reflect the sovereignty of Singapore over the waters in question, and that Malaysia refrain from taking any further unilateral action. The Ministry said the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has issued a Port Marine Circular on Nov 30, 2018 instructing ship masters and owners of vessels to disregard Malaysia’s Gazette Notification, PC 88/2018 and NtM 164/2018, which impinge on Singapore’s sovereignty.

According to MOT, over the past two weeks, vessels from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and Marine Department Malaysia have also repeatedly intruded into STW off Tuas. “Singapore has protested the unauthorised movements of, and purported assertions of sovereignty by these vessels, which are inconsistent with international law.

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JB port limits: Singapore seeks amicable solution

Singapore has lodged a protest over alleged encroachment of its territorial waters. (Bernama pic)

Singapore says it is ready to engage with Malaysia to find an amicable solution, in accordance with international laws, to issues related to the Johor Bahru port limits.

The republic’s Ministry of Transport (MOT) said in a statement that it noted “with grave concern” that Malaysia had recently purported to extend the Johor Bahru port limits in a manner which encroaches into Singapore Territorial Waters (STW) off Tuas.

The MOT said it was done through Malaysia’s publication of the Federal Government Gazette P.U. (B) 587 “Declaration of Alteration of Port Limits for Johore Bahru Port” dated Oct 25, 2018 (the “Gazette Notification”), Port Circular No 88/2018 dated Nov 11, 2018 (“PC 88/2018”), and Notice to Mariners No 164/2018 dated Nov 22, 2018 (“NtM 164/2018”). It said Singapore had lodged a strong protest with the Malaysian government.

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Maritime dispute: Timeline of actions between Singapore and Malaysia from 1979

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

On Thursday (Dec 6), Minister of Transport Khaw Boon Wan announced that Singapore will extend port limits off Tuas with immediate effect. The gazetted expansion of Singapore’s port limits — which overlap Malaysia’s unilateral extension of the Johor Baru port limits on Oct 25 — is “well within” Singapore’s territorial waters, Mr Khaw said at a press conference held at the Parliament House. Here is a timeline of events leading to the extension.

CHRONOLOGY OF KEY EVENTS SINCE 1979:

1979: Malaysia published a map depicting the limits of the territorial waters it claims, including in the areas in the eastern and western approaches to Singapore.
1980: Singapore lodged a diplomatic protest with Malaysia over its 1979 map, asserting that the boundary lines indicated in the map in respect of the areas in the eastern and western approaches to Singapore are unacceptable to Singapore, and that Pedra Branca belongs to Singapore.
1987: Malaysia published its Johor Baru port limits, which tracked the territorial sea limits claimed in its 1979 map.
1995: Singapore and Malaysia concluded the 1995 Agreement between the Government of Malaysia and the Government of the Republic of Singapore to Delimit Precisely the Territorial Waters Boundary in Accordance with the Straits Settlements and Johore Territorial Waters Agreement 1927.
1997: Singapore’s port limits to the west of Raffles Lighthouse were extended slightly for better regulation of shipping traffic in the vicinity.
1999: Malaysia published its amended Johor Baru port limits, which still tracked the territorial sea limits claimed in its 1979 map.
2018: Malaysia published altered Johor Baru port limits, which encroach into Singapore’s territorial waters off Tuas. The altered port limits extend significantly eastward beyond the territorial sea claim in the area made in Malaysia’s 1979 map.

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Malaysia–Singapore border

The Johor–Singapore Causeway as viewed from the Woodlands Checkpoint in Singapore towards Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The end of Singaporean territory and start of Malaysian territory can be clearly seen with the differences in road surface and markings near the midsection of the Causeway.

The Malaysia–Singapore border is an international maritime border between the Southeast Asian countries of Malaysia, which lies to the north of the border, and Singapore to the south. The boundary is formed by straight lines between maritime geographical coordinates running along or near the deepest channel of the Straits of Johor (Malay: Selat Tebrau).

The western portion of the border beyond that delimited by the 1995 agreement goes into the western section of the Singapore Straits while the eastern portion of the border beyond the eastern terminus of the defined border continues into the eastern section of the Singapore Straits. Outside the border defined by the 1995 agreement, there is still no formal agreement between the two countries to delimit their common borders and this has resulted in several overlapping claims. Singapore claims a three nautical mile (6 km) territorial sea limit, while Malaysia claims a 12-nautical-mile (22 km) territorial sea limit.

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Singapore-Malaysia maritime dispute escalates

55,000 attended anti-ICERD rally in Kuala Lumpur on December 8, 2018

Police claimed only 55,000 people turned up, though over 100,000 appeared to be present at its peak

Imagine if it was at the Singapore-Johor Causeway at Woodlands

13,000 Japanese troops crossed the Johor Straits into Singapore in collapsible boats. The next day, Japanese Imperial Guards crossed a repaired Causeway into Kranji