Mahathir accepts invitation from PM Lee to attend Singapore’s National Day Parade 2019
Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has accepted an invitation from his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong for him and his wife Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali to attend Singapore’s Bicentennial National Day Parade on 9 August 2019.
A joint statement by the two leaders following their retreat in Putrajaya on Tuesday (9 April) said Lee looked forward to hosting Mahathir for the “important milestone celebration”.
Lee and Mahathir addressed various issues that were at the centre of the recent spat between Singapore and Malaysia, and the steps undertaken to resolve them in the statement.
The leaders welcomed the progress made by the two countries in implementing the recommendations of the Working Group on maritime issues surrounding the Johor Bahru Port Limits off Tanjung Piai and Singapore Port Limits off Tuas to resolve the situation on the ground, paving the way for maritime boundary delimitation of the area. They welcomed the establishment of the committee to commence negotiations on maritime boundary delimitation in the area within one month.
Lee and Mahathir said they looked forward to the convening of the 8th Meeting of the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Technical Committee on the Implementation of the International Court of Justice Judgment on Pedra Branca, Middle Rocks and South Ledge to resolve outstanding bilateral maritime boundary delimitation issues in the area.
The leaders also welcomed the bilateral agreement for Singapore to withdraw the Instrument Landing System procedures for Seletar Airport and for Malaysia to suspend the permanent Restricted Area over Pasir Gudang airspace indefinitely. This would allow flights approaching and departing Seletar Airport to be based on visual approach.
They also noted the differing positions of both sides on the right to review the price of water under the 1962 Agreement and agreed for the Attorneys-General of both sides to discuss these positions.
Among the other issues that were noted by the leaders were the progress made on the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link Project and the suspension of the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail Project for a period up to 31 May 2020.
The leaders also acknowledged the cooperation between the countries regarding the investigation of offences, sharing information on bank accounts, fund transfers and other transactions linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
Related links
Singapore PM raises concern over Johor water supply pollution, sustainability
Malaysia, Singapore finally get down to maritime border negotiations
Singapore and Malaysia take immediate suspension steps over Seletar Airport and Pasir Gudang
MOT releases documents detailing extensive discussions on Seletar Airport airspace issue
Changes to airspace arrangements need consultations with stakeholders: Singapore MOT
Airspace management has nothing to do with sovereignty: Khaw Boon Wan
Singapore rejects Malaysia’s ‘cease and desist’ proposal on disputed maritime area
Malaysia proposes to Singapore for both sides to stop sending assets to ‘disputed’ maritime area
Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen warns Malaysian vessels to leave Singapore waters
Singapore and Malaysia ties hindered by ‘past baggage’, need to avoid ‘destructive path’: Khaw
Singapore extending its Port Limits in response to Malaysia’s ‘blatant provocation’: Khaw
Malaysia sends Singapore two protest notes on airspace, port limits issues
‘Urgent need’ for Malaysia to stop intrusions into Singapore’s Territorial Waters: Balakrishnan
