SINGAPORE (Dec 10): Malaysia and Singapore issued more comments on a territorial dispute between the nations. Singapore claims Malaysian government vessels are intruding into its waters, an action its Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat described as a violation of international law.

The statements signal a potential escalation in the war of words between the two Southeast Asian countries, a level of bickering not seen in years. The duo, which were once part of the same country, had a fractious relationship during Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s first stint in power from 1981 to 2003.

Dr Mahathir, speaking at a press conference near Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, said: “The important thing is that Singapore agreed to a negotiation. We cannot give a final answer” until the negotiations are resolved.

On why Malaysia decided to extend its Johor Bahru port, which Singapore alleges is an encroachment on Singapore waters, he said:

“Lots of people announce their borders off and on and that causes a lot of dispute. We will settle the dispute based on legal provision and our rights.”

Heng, the finance minister, on Sunday said the intrusions are a violation of international law, and warned that Singapore won’t hesitate to take actions against Malaysia.

Singapore Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing, speaking Saturday, according to the Straits Times newspaper, said: Malaysia must get its government vessels to leave Singapore territorial waters at once and return to the pre-Oct 25 status quo.

Singapore welcomes talks and hopes for a “swift and amicable resolution” of the matter. The Singapore government is also prepared for the dispute to be resolved “by recourse to an appropriate international third-party dispute settlement procedure.” But it was important, he said, to “calm down the ground situation first.”

“We know that some ships are armed. So the risk of escalation cannot be underestimated. Accidents can happen.”