Malaysia, Singapore reverse overlapping port limit extensions

Malaysia and Singapore have agreed to suspend the implementation of their overlapping expanded port limits in the Straits of Johor.

In a joint statement, Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah and his Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan said both countries would revert to the port limits prior to Oct 25, 2018.

On Oct 25 last year, Malaysia extended the Johor Bahru port limit over unclaimed waters and to the edge of the Singapore port limit.

Singapore responded on Dec 6 by extending its port limit into the same unclaimed waters, creating an overlap.

Following a meeting in Putrajaya today, both countries agreed to form a committee to begin negotiations on maritime boundary delimitation.  

The negotiations will commence within one month after the two countries revert to their previous port limits and apply three other measures.

The other measures are: to suspend all commercial activities in the area; to not anchor government vessels in the area; and for Malaysian and Singaporean vessels to operate in the area in accordance with international laws.

If negotiations on a new maritime border fail, both countries may agree to an international third-party dispute settlement procedure.

The overlapping area is about 11.5km, equivalent to the surface area of 9,200 Olympic swimming pools.

Previously, sources told Malaysiakini the standoff would force Singapore to the negotiation table.

They claimed that despite a previous agreement to negotiate the maritime border off Tuas, Singapore has to date refused to do so.

Meanwhile, the attorneys-general of Malaysia and Singapore will continue talks on revising the 1962 water agreement between the two countries.  - Mkini

Read more: The Maritime Tug-of-War