KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 5): The altered port limits for Johor Bahru Port have “not in any way” encroached into any part of Singapore, said transport minister Anthony Loke today.

Following up on a statement by his Singaporean counterpart Khaw Boon Wan on Dec 4 on Malaysia’s altered port limits for Johor Bahru Port, Loke said Singapore’s reclaimed lands in the area does not extend the island-nation’s basepoints or baselines. 

“Singapore has in recent years carried out extensive land reclamation in the area in question.

“In accordance with international law, the territorial sea of Singapore remains unchanged, even when reclamation has been carried out almost to the outer limits of Singapore’s territorial sea,” Loke said. 

As such, the altered port limits of Johor Bahru Port are in Malaysia’s territorial sea and it is well within Malaysia’s right to draw any port limit in its territorial sea, in accordance with national laws, he said. 

On Dec 4, Singapore’s transport ministry said it noted “with grave concern” that Malaysia had recently purported to extend the Johor Bahru port limits in a manner which encroached into Singapore Territorial Waters (STW) off Tuas.

According to the Ministry, vessels from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and Marine Department Malaysia have also repeatedly intruded into STW off Tuas and its authorities will not hesitate to take firm action against intrusions and unauthorised activities in Singaporean waters.

The statement noted Malaysia’s purported extension of the Johor Bahru port limits and the repeated intrusions by Malaysian Government Vessels into STW were a serious violation of Singapore’s sovereignty and international law.

In response, Loke said Malaysia has also taken prudent action to accurately promulgate the alteration via the Federal Government Gazette and to issue the necessary Port Circular and Notice to Mariners. 

Following this, Malaysia retains the right to deploy its enforcement and relevant competent agencies in its territorial sea, in line with international laws, Loke said. 

“As such, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the Marine Department of Malaysia have not intruded into any of part of Singapore,” he added.

“Thus Malaysia urges Singapore to immediately withdraw its Port Marine Circular issued on Nov 30, 2018 and prevent its enforcement agencies from further intruding into Malaysia’s territorial sea and harassing vessels and persons lawfully permitted by Malaysian laws and authorities, as well as international law to be present in Malaysia’s territorial sea. 

“It is precisely these actions by Singapore that amount to serious violations of Malaysia’s sovereignty and international law and are unconducive to good bilateral relations, causing confusion for the international shipping community, leading to increased navigational and safety risks to all parties,” he added.

Malaysia has always have and continues to have sovereignty over the waters within the port limits, Loke said.

“Malaysia is prepared to engage with Singapore through appropriate diplomatic channels towards an amicable resolution in this matter,” he added.