Malaysia, Singapore affirm commitment to resolve Batu Puteh dispute

Malaysia and Singapore leaders today affirmed their commitment to resolving matters related to sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh (Pedra Branca), Pulau Batuan Tengah (Middle Rocks), and Pulau Tubir Selatan (South Ledge) in accordance with international law.

In a joint statement issued at the end of the 8th Singapore Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat here, the leaders noted Malaysia’s applications for revision and for interpretation of the International Court of Justice’s Judgment of May 23, 2008 which were filed on Feb 2, 2017 and June 30, 2017 respectively.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong met earlier today for a retreat.

According to the six-page statement, both reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring positive and stable bilateral relations.

The leaders welcomed the good progress made in bilateral relations since the Leaders’ Retreat in Putrajaya, Malaysia on Dec 13,  2016, it said.

They also welcomed the excellent cooperation in an array of mutually beneficial areas, including connectivity, counter-terrorism, education, bilateral joint venture projects, and in Asean.

On the oil and gas sector, the leaders welcomed the private sector collaboration between Pavilion Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pavilion Energy, and Petronas LNG Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Petronas, to jointly explore the supply and optimisation of LNG, including LNG trading and cargo swaps.

Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding in March 2017, both parties concluded a trade deal in October, which saw the first ever Petronas LNG cargo delivered to the Singapore LNG Terminal.

The two parties also recently negotiated a contract for a series of LNG cargoes to be supplied from Petronas LNG to Pavilion Gas.

According to the statement, the leaders also welcomed Malaysia’s removal of the Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) toll effective from Jan 1, 2018, and Singapore’s matching of the toll reduction with effect from Feb 1, 2018.

Meanwhile, on Asean, both leaders reaffirmed the importance of ensuring Asean is resilient and innovative amidst the changing global landscape.

Asean must continue to be united to remain relevant, and in order for it to maintain its central role as a key driving force 6 that can deal with challenges and opportunities, it said.

Lee thanked Najib for Malaysia’s full support for Singapore’s Chairmanship of Asean in 2018, which focuses on promoting and upholding a rules-based regional order; stepping up cooperation to better deal with emerging security challenges; pursuing deeper regional economic integration and enhancing regional connectivity; and finding innovative ways to manage and benefit from digital technologies.

The leaders agreed to hold the 9th Retreat later in 2018 in Malaysia, said the statement.

- Bernama