Malaysia, Singapore Reopen Discussion On Long-standing Issues
PUTRAJAYA, Jan 7 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Singapore are reopening discussions on long-standing issues such as water supply, maritime delimitation and airspace.
In fact, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the technical teams will also discuss the parameters of the issues.
“These are complex issues and our position is of course, as (Singapore) Prime Minister Lawrence has said, to deal with it holistically or in a comprehensive manner, so that some areas which are demanded by Singapore, some demanded by Malaysia, should be fully considered and the final settlement should be a win-win position.”
Anwar said this at the joint press conference with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong after the delegation meeting in conjunction with the 11th Leaders' Retreat, here Tuesday.
Anwar said the issue of the export of Sarawak's energy to Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore was also further deliberated with his visiting Singaporean counterpart.
“The issues are complex. We have made some progress, but we still need more time to resolve them. But we will continue to engage in good faith and as good neighbours, I am confident working together, we can develop durable outcomes on all of these issues with a balance of benefits on both sides.
“Last year at the introductory visit, both Prime Minister Anwar and I have asked the officials to meet. They have done so across all of these issues on maritime boundaries, on water and on airspace. They have had good discussions.
“Some progress has been made, but we are not ready to resolve all of them yet, because they are complex and, while we would like the resolution to be expeditious, I think it's also important that we give time for the officials to meet, talk to one another, understand each other's positions, and come up with an agreement and an outcome that is durable and that is beneficial for both sides,” he said.
Wong said he and Anwar are fully committed to having good faith conversations and discussions in a manner that is constructive, and that the issues will be discussed holistically to make sure the outstanding matters do not ever detract Singapore-Malaysia overall relationship.
“That is why we are still able to move forward on positive win-win projects like the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link. We do not want these issues, even if there are differences of views, to detract from the positive projects that we can do together,” he added.
Earlier, Wong who is on a two-day official visit to Malaysia, attended an official welcoming ceremony at Perdana Putra Complex and an official luncheon hosted by Anwar.
-- BERNAMA
