Malaysian politicians are still continuing to meet with their Singapore counterparts amid a tense dispute that has seen both parties embroiled over airspace and water boundaries, according to the Malaysian foreign ministry.
In a press release issued on Saturday on the Wisma Putra page, a spokesperson from Malaysia’s foreign ministry said that diplomatic efforts are underway to reach “amicable solutions to issues of concern” to both countries.
“The Government of Malaysia is committed to resolve bilateral issues with the Government of Singapore in a peaceful and calm manner,” said the spokesperson in the release.
An annual meeting to discuss a joint development project that Singapore is a top investor in was derailed earlier this month after the chief minister of Johor state entered waters that Singapore claims belong to them.
However, Malaysia’s statement on the issue claimed that the minister had actually entered Malaysian waters instead, according to a Mothership report.
Future meetings to discuss airspace and maritime disputes
After both countries’ foreign ministers met and pledged to resolve tensions, the statement said that Malaysian economic affairs minister Azman Ali met with Singapore ministers including foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan and national development minister Lawrence Wong.
The meetings were to discuss bilateral matters that did not involve the joint development project, Iskandar Malaysia, according to earlier reports.
Saturday’s statement mentioned that an upcoming meeting to discuss airspace disputes is slated to be held “in the coming weeks” by transport ministers of both countries.
Another meeting is scheduled to be held on January 28 between top secretaries of both countries’ foreign affairs ministries to discuss the maritime dispute, including finding legal and operational solutions “to de-escalate the situation on the ground”.
“These continuing efforts signify the steadfast commitment of Malaysia to pursue diplomatic solutions to bilateral issues with its closest neighbor Singapore, in a peaceful and constructive manner, on the basis of equality and mutual respect,” said the statement.
Both countries are disputing a water boundary off the Tuas region after Singapore politician Khaw Boon Wan told Malaysian vessels to “back off” and stop trespassing Singapore territorial waters.
Malaysia also protested Singapore’s decision to implement new landing procedures at Singapore’s Seletar Airport, calling it an “intrusion of Malaysia’s sovereign airspace” as planes would be flying over southern Johor.
Read the full statement below:
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