AEV: Singapore-Malaysia Discussed Land Reclamation Works in Johor Straits

By Massita Ahmad SINGAPORE, Sept 30 (Bernama) – Singapore and Malaysia discussed land reclamation works in the Straits of Johor and their potential adverse transboundary impact during the 30th Malaysia-Singapore Annual Exchange of Visits (AEV). In a joint statement issued here Friday, the ministers agreed at the AEV that it was important for Singapore and Malaysia to continue to fulfill their obligations under international law, in particular the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Malaysia’s Natural Resources and Environment Minister Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar is here for three days till Saturday at the invitation of Minister for the Environment and Water Resources of Singapore, Masagos Zulkifli for the AEV. Since 1979, the AEV has established closer ties and co-operation between the two ministries in environment-related matters. The statement said the ministers also reaffirmed their commitment under the Settlement Agreement to monitor, exchange information on and discuss matters affecting their respective environments in the Straits of Johor, including reclamation works with potential adverse transboundary impact. In this regard, the ministers urged the Danga Bay Joint Task Force to work closely and resolve the issues pertaining to the findings of the bathymetry surveys at Danga Bay expeditiously, it said. The next AEV in 2018 will be held in Malaysia. The two ministers also reviewed the progress achieved by the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Committee on the Environment (MSJCE). On Sept 28, the 31st MSJCE Meeting successfully deliberated and exchanged views on some areas of cooperation which included Joint Monitoring of Water Quality in the Straits of Johor. The two ministers agreed on the importance of good water quality in the Straits of Johor, and encouraged both sides to continue efforts to improve water quality by implementing measures to control sources of pollution, said the statement. -- BERNAMA