Wisma Putra: Malaysia did not intrude into any international borders

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian government affirms that the new Johor Baru Port Limit (JPL) is within Malaysia's territorial sea. 

Wisma Putra also pointed out that it is within the Government's right to draw any port limit in its territorial sea in accordance with Malaysia's own national laws. 

"As such ,the Malaysian Government refutes the view that its government vessels had intruded into Singapore territorial waters off Tuas," the ministry said in a statement this evening.

It added that the it is within Malaysia's right as a sovereign state to deploy its enforcement and implementation agencies within its territorial sea. 

"This practice is fully consistent with international law, and as such, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the Marine Department of Malaysia have not intruded into any part of Singapore's territorial waters," it added.

Wisma Putra noted that the government is confident that both Malaysia and Singapore will acknowledge and value the good and strong bilateral relations.

"These sentiments were expressed by the Prime Ministers of both countries at during Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's official visit to Singapore in November," it added. 

Wisma Putra said the Malaysian Government has proposed to convene a meeting between the Foreign Ministries of both countries to discuss outstanding maritime boundary issues.

"It is important to avoid any acts which may lead to escalation and fuel tension," it said.

The Foreign Ministry also pointed out that the Malaysian Government, through the Singaporean High Commissioner of Malaysia, has communicated with the Singapore Government over two protest notes - the first being Singapore's publication of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and ILS Approach Procedures for Seletar Airport; and the second is on the outstanding maritime boundary delimitation issues between both countries.

Earlier, Singapore minister for foreign affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan said both countries should continue to discuss issues like airspace and the JPL constructively.

He was reported saying that both countries should emphasise the importance of maintaining a good bilateral relationship between close neighbours and compliance with international law.