Implications of Recent Agreement with Malaysia to Suspend Overlapping Claims in Singapore's Territorial Waters off Tuas
Ministry of Foreign AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the implications of the agreement with Malaysia to suspend overlapping maritime claims off Tuas and the presence of foreign vessels in these waters. Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan stated that both countries agreed to revert port limits to the status quo prior to October and December 2018. He explained that Malaysian government vessels must vacate the area by 14 April 2019 to facilitate boundary delimitation negotiations, which will proceed without prejudice to either side's claims. The Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan highlighted that Singapore seeks to resolve the dispute via international law or mutually agreed third-party settlement procedures if negotiations fail. He confirmed that while two Malaysian vessels remained anchored at the time, the agreement serves to de-escalate tensions while safeguarding Singapore’s national interests.
Transcript
23 Mr Ang Wei Neng asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs (a) what are the benefits and implications of the recent agreement with Malaysia to suspend overlapping claims in Singapore's territorial waters off Tuas; and (b) when was the last occasion that foreign vessels had anchored in Singapore's territorial waters off Tuas.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs (Dr Vivian Balakrishnan): Mr Speaker, on 14 March 2019, Malaysia and Singapore agreed to revert the port limits to the status quo prior to 25 October 2018 and 6 December 2018 respectively. The Malaysian government vessels which have been illegally anchored in our waters since early December 2018 would have to move out. In keeping with past practice, no commercial activities or anchoring of ships would be allowed in this area. Our ships will continue to patrol and take appropriate enforcement actions within our territorial waters. If all these recommendations are implemented by 14 April 2019, then negotiations for maritime boundary delimitation in the area will start within one month thereafter. I need to stress that these measures shall be taken without prejudice to the respective maritime boundary claims of both sides.
We hope that the recommendations will be implemented as soon as possible within the agreed time frame. This will allow the ground situation to be de-escalated, and then both sides can embark on maritime boundary delimitation negotiations.
This is a process that will take time, but both sides are committed to negotiate in good faith, and in the event that we are unable to arrive at an amicable solution on delimitation, we may mutually agree to resort to an appropriate international third-party dispute settlement procedure on terms to be mutually agreed by the parties.
Overall, the agreement is a positive and concrete step forward for both countries, and is reflective of Singapore’s commitment to resolve our issues with Malaysia in a calm and rational and amicable manner, in accordance with international law, and to nurture this very important bilateral relationship whilst safeguarding our national interests.
Mr Ang Wei Neng (Jurong): Just to clarify, Minister, so, there are no more foreign ships right now in our territorial waters off Tuas at this point of time.
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: There are two Malaysian government vessels which I believe are still anchored there at this point in time, so the terms of the agreement have not been implemented yet.