PUTRAJAYA (Apr 10): Both Malaysia and Singapore are committed to resolve the issues surrounding maritime and airspace boundaries between the two countries in a peaceful manner, without causing further friction between them.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong spoke to reporters in a joint press conference after the conclusion the 9th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat here yesterday.  

“We spoke about Malaysia-Singapore bilateral relations, and how to preserve and improve it.

"We agreed that the fundamental principle is to resolve issues of concern in a friendly and constructive manner and work towards amicable solutions,” Dr Mahathir said.

On maritime boundaries, Malaysia has agreed to suspend the implementation of the Johor Bahru Port Limits off Tanjung Piai and Singapore Port Limits off Tuas. A new joint-committee will be established for the maritime boundary delimitation in the area, and negotiations on the boundaries and limitations will commence within a month.

“Ultimately, Malaysia believes it is important to delimit all outstanding maritime boundaries between Malaysia and Singapore, and not only to delimit the area surrounding the Port Limits,” Dr Mahathir said.

On airspace, the two countries reached an agreement for Singapore to withdraw Instrument Landing System (ILS) for Seletar Airport and Malaysia to suspend the permanent Restricted Area (RA) over the Pasir Gudang airspace indefinitely.

“This clears the way for Malaysia’s Firefly airline to start services to Seletar Airport which I understand the inaugural flight will be on the 21st of April,” Lee said.

Dr Mahathir noted that the High Level Committee to review the Operational Letter of Agreement between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore Area Control Centres concerning Singapore Arrivals, Departures, and Overflights signed in 1974 (OLOA 1974) has already commenced discussions.

Malaysia’s objective is to take back the delegated airspace from Singapore in the area concerned in stages, starting from end 2019 to 2023.

“We have made significant investments in preparation to take back the said delegated airspace and hope that this can be done expeditiously,” Dr Mahathir said.

On this, Lee said Singapore is ready to discuss the matter with Malaysia. He highlighted that key considerations from his side include the safety and efficiency of air traffic operations, and the need and interest of both countries.

“I told Dr Mahathir this is a complex matter that will involve many stakeholders including airlines and ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) and cannot easily be rushed,” Lee said.

When asked if the impending boundary issues will have a lasting effect on the bilateral relations of the two nations, Lee acknowledged that these will always be continuing issues between the neighbours, and that the outcome depends on how deliberations are managed.

“So if it is managed well, then it can be productive for both countries and the overall relationship can prosper. If it is not managed well, it can cause a lot of trouble and poison the overall relationship,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir said ties between Singapore and Malaysia have always been good, evidenced by how both countries have never been at war despite their disagreements.

“At least we are always on talking terms. If we have problems, we air our problems — sometimes publicly, sometimes privately. What we have not done is we have not confronted each other or even suggested that we should resolve our problems through violent actions, like going to war with Singapore.

“This is not a minor achievement. If you look throughout the world, most countries that have problems with their neighbours try to solve their problems through violence and through wars. In the end, both sides will lose. That is our relationship with Singapore, which is a relationship between two civilised people who do not believe in violence,” Dr Mahathir added.  

Besides maritime and airspace boundary issues, the two premiers spoke in detail about unresolved bilateral issues, including issues concerning cross border railway projects, congestion at Malaysia-Singapore border and the 1962 Johore River Water Agreement.  — theedgemarkets.com

Click here for more property stories.

SHARE
RELATED POSTS
  1. PEPS Malaysia inks MOU with Singapore Estate Agents Association for real estate knowledge exchange and networking opportunities
  2. How essential oils can refresh and elevate your home in the Tropics
  3. Pintaras Jaya bags piling contracts worth RM170mil in Singapore