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Malaysian vessels stationed in Singapore waters do not make 'one iota of difference' to legal claims: Khaw

Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan addresses reporters at the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) building on Wednesday, 12 December 2018. PHOTO: Nicholas Yong/Yahoo News Singapore
Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan addresses reporters at the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) building on Wednesday, 12 December 2018. PHOTO: Nicholas Yong/Yahoo News Singapore

While the number of Malaysian government vessels in Singapore territorial waters has been reduced to one, their presence does not make “one iota of difference” to their territorial claims , said Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan on Wednesday (12 December).

Speaking to reporters at the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) building, Khaw noted that Putrajaya has committed to de-escalate the situation on the ground. “This is a good move in the right direction. We too intend to manage this dispute in a calm and peaceful manner. However…they do not agree to withdraw completely.”

The 66-year-old stressed that this creates the “unnecessary risk” of an “accidental escalation” and is also not conducive to the the upcoming bilateral talks on the maritime and other issues that have been scheduled for the second week of January 2019.

On 25 October, Malaysia purportedly extended the port limits of Johor Bahru, prompting the Singapore government to protest against the move. Khaw told journalists last Tuesday that Malaysian government vessels have since repeatedly intruded into Singapore’s territorial waters off Tuas.

“I think the last time we met, there were (three) major ships in our waters, and I think as of today, or since yesterday, they have reduced it to one.”

Asked if the Republic would be setting the withdrawal of Malaysian vessels as a condition for the bilateral talks, Khaw demurred. “We have committed to talks, and we will talk…peaceful resolution is always the best way forward.

“But as I said, it doesn’t add to your legal case, and our worry all the time is, accidents can happen. These are big ships, few thousand tonnes, and they move at great speed. We don’t know what will happen. And it may not be intentional, but what if accidents happen? Then what?”

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