This followed a statement by Wisma Putra tonight that it was not agreeable to a proposal by Singapore to return to the status quo prior to Oct 25 when Malaysia extended the Johor Bahru Port Limits.
“Malaysia has acknowledged that Singapore’s proposal would have been without prejudice to both sides’ respective positions on the maritime boundary.
“Singapore is hence disappointed that Malaysia is unable to accede to Singapore’s proposal to go back to the status quo ante prior to 25 Oct 2018,” its foreign affairs ministry said.
However, Singapore is “encouraged” that Malaysia would take “effective measures” to de-escalate tensions over the issue and handle the situation in a calm and peaceful manner.
“Singapore also welcomes the Malaysian government’s agreement that officials meet in the second week of January 2019, to exchange views on resolving the Johor Bahru Port Limits issue,” it said in a statement.
Singapore reiterated its call to Malaysia to revert to the status quo prior to Oct 25 as it would avoid “misunderstandings and potential issues on the ground”, pointing out Putrajaya’s deployments will “not strengthen its legal claim”.
“(It) can only heighten tensions. Malaysia will be responsible for any untoward situations on the ground that arise from continued deployment of its vessels into this area,” the statement read.
On Oct 25, Putrajaya extended the Johor Bahru Port Limits, but was met with a strong response from Singapore who said the decision was unilateral.
The republic said the extension, which tracks the eastern boundary of the 1999 Johor Bahru Port Limits, was within its territorial waters.
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said at the time that Malaysia was within its rights to extend the Johor Bahru Port Limits, and that it had not trespassed into Singapore’s territorial waters.
In response, Singapore extended the Singapore Port Limits off Tuas effective Dec 6.
Malaysia had recently proposed for both countries to cease and desist from sending assets into the disputed area effective Dec 8 pending discussions on outstanding maritime boundary issues, which Singapore did not agree to.
Mahathir previously welcomed a statement by Singapore’s foreign affairs ministry that the country “remains ready to discuss this issue with Malaysia in a constructive manner in the spirit of preserving our important bilateral relationship”.
Earlier today, Mahathir said that Malaysian vessels would stay in the disputed waters for now. He said Wisma Putra would meet with its Singapore counterparts over their “overlapping claims”, adding “we don’t want to fight”.
Singapore said that its minister for home affairs and law K Shanmugam, as well as its attorney-general Lucien Wong, met with Malaysian Attorney-General Tommy Thomas to discuss the matter on Dec 7.
“The Singapore officials proposed to Thomas that Malaysia returns to the status quo ante prior to 25 Oct 2018, without prejudice to Malaysia’s and Singapore’s respective positions on the maritime boundary between the two countries in the area which Malaysia now claims.
“Maritime boundary claims can be made under international law, in accordance with established procedures, without needing to have ships facing off against one another,” it said.
Singapore said it hoped to work with Malaysia to find an amicable resolution in accordance with international law and in the spirit of preserving their bilateral relationship.
Singapore’s counter-proposal was made after it declined Putrajaya’s proposal for both countries to mutually cease and desist sending in their assets into the disputed area effective Dec 8.